The Social Impact of Land and Knowledge: Transformation of Land Distribution, Utilization, and Knowledge in Post-colonial Southern Africa

Land reform and land redistribution in Southern Africa have long been seen as pivotal mechanisms for ameliorating social and economic disparities plaguing post-colonial societies. This Research Topic aims to explore the social consequences of these policies in the context of countries like South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, where the legacy of colonial land ownership continues to influence socio-economic dynamics profoundly. While intended to rectify historical injustices and reduce inequalities, land reform initiatives have frequently ignited substantial debate and conflict, raising questions about effectiveness and implementation. Challenges persist, including the paradoxes of land distribution efforts that sometimes exacerbate poverty despite their potential to enhance social equity and stability.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the various dimensions of land reform's social impact on Southern Africa, assessing both the achievements and the ongoing challenges. It seeks to understand how modified land access and distribution strategies affect socio-economic conditions, particularly how they tackle the entrenched issues of poverty and social inequality. The effort includes examining the outcomes related to land tenure security, agricultural productivity, and overall economic empowerment of land recipients, while also considering the negative consequences of insufficiently planned or inadequately resourced redistribution programs.

To gather further insights within the defined boundaries of post-colonial Southern African nations, primarily focusing on South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Land tenure and changing conditions of land access
• Dynamics of land use and shifts in land-related knowledge
• Economic impacts of land redistribution on agriculture and food security
• Social inequalities arising from land reform practices
• Comparative perspectives on land reform policies across different Southern African countries

Through this comprehensive exploration, the Research Topic aims to contribute significantly to the discourse on land reform and its capacity to reshape social and economic landscapes in Southern Africa.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: segregation, development, social justice, transformation, governance

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.