The changing political economy of South Africa has resulted in measured economic and political development for certain groups but is having little impact in altering the geography of apartheid. Currently, half of the country is classified as poor and thirty percent live in territory that comprised the homelands during apartheid rule. In an effort to stimulate rural development for previously disenfranchised groups, state and provincial conservation agencies are promoting a variety of approaches, including environmental tourism and community conservation. The impacts of these initiatives upon rural households requires further attention to understand their ability to redress apartheid's spatial and social inequities.

This talk was based upon fieldwork completed from May 2000 - July 2000 and August 2001 - August 2002 in the former KaNgwane homeland of South Africa. During that time, a case study of the Mahushe Shongwe Game Reserve and Mzinti community was completed to derive lessons for conservation and development planning. Mahushe Shongwe was the first community conservation project within KaNgwane and involves an active partnership between the Mpumalanga Parks Board, Matsamo Tribal Authority and Mzinti community. Since it was initiated during the apartheid era, it serves as an entry point for examining livelihood transformations, household access to environmental resources, and the role of diverse governance structures in the post-apartheid era.