Page 20 - Research Report 2025.1

Subsistence Farming
Participants described subsistence farming as the dominant
livelihood strategy in rural areas, with many households relying
on small-scale agriculture and livestock farming. Participant
1 mentioned that the region’s residents depend heavily on
subsistence farming, with some individuals seeking employment in
urban centers to supplement their income. Focus group participants
further emphasised that while agriculture remains a key economic
activity, its sustainability is diminishing, particularly in the Alfred Nzo “As I mentioned before that people in this space, are largely District, due to economic and environmental challenges. Participant dependent on primary production and if I may put it in that way.
6 and Participant 7 both affirm the importance of subsistence farming as a central livelihood strategy in the rural areas, particularly for ensuring food security.
Participant 1
Participant 2
Yeah. They are farming people. They whether be crop or animal farming, but they are farming people. Yeah. They are mixed. Others are mixed in terms of, depending on their on their on their farming and as well as, depending on their farming in terms of access to food and in terms of selling the product that they farm.”
Participant 7
“But most communities are subsistence farmers.”
Participant 6
“Just to say they must have something, to do, just to plough a or cultivate, you know, a piece of land Yeah. For food security. For food security.”
The people here survive mainly on subsistence farming. It means they rare animals that they can
consume at a later stage and maybe sell.
Focus group Participant
“Livelihood is How you say people, ways, and ways to survive. To survive. We have predominantly said that we survive, through agricultural activities. Subsistence farming. Mostly. But now because we are finding that the sustainability of agriculture now is actually not giving us a greater impact. And remember, the economic status or the economic, what
is this? Of the economy, yeah, of Alfred Ndzo, of Winnie Madikizela Mandela. It’s predominantly reliant or on the agricultural activities.”
The findings underscore the central role of subsistence farming in rural livelihoods, particularly as a means of ensuring food security. However, the sustainability of this strategy is increasingly under threat due to both environmental and economic challenges. Local government has an important role to play in supporting rural communities, both by enhancing the sustainability of subsistence farming and by fostering alternative livelihood strategies to reduce vulnerability. Without targeted support, rural households may struggle to adapt to these challenges, further undermining their economic resilience.
Participant 1
And some, they go through big cities, to to seek better opportunities, and then they are able to, finance, the livelihood of their families.
Eco-Tourism
Migration for Better Opportunities
Migration to urban areas for employment was also cited as a common livelihood strategy. Participant 1 noted that individuals often migrate to cities in search of better job prospects and send remittances back to their families in rural areas. This trend reflects the limited opportunities in rural regions, which force individuals to leave in order to support their families financially.
Eco-tourism was highlighted as an emerging economic opportunity. Participant 2 noted that some individuals engage in eco-tourism, leveraging the region’s natural beauty to guide tourists and generate income. While this may not be a widespread livelihood strategy, it presents an alternative to subsistence farming and social grants and could represent a growing sector within the local economy. However, it requires investment and infrastructure support to reach its full potential.
Participant 2
“There there’s also people that are in ecotourism. They those that are, living through be the beauty of Alfredo Ndzo. Always guide, people to come and see the beauty of the Alfred Ndzo.”
18 | STUDY OBJECTIVE I