This episode is the first in a series about ‘rangeland myths’. This time, we’re talking about the myth that the so-called ‘tragedy of the commons’ is inevitable.  

Both our speakers are members of the REPAiR Project team: firstly, Amber Huff, research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK. And secondly Frank Matose, co-director of the Environmental Humanities South Centre at the University of Cape Town.

This event is part of our engagement with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, taking place for the whole of 2026.

Links

Rangeland Myths (REPAiR Project series)

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

Kevin Kirkman is Professor of Grassland Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and one of the partners in the REPAiR project. Kevin’s research covers many aspects of grassland ecology and management, including research on grazing, fire and restoration. In this episode, Kevin discusses what makes grasses and grasslands fascinating, what is special about the context of South Africa, and the challenges of bringing together ecological science with other kinds of knowledge.

Links:

Kevin Kirkman’s profile (UKZN website)

Understanding rangelands and grasslands (REPAiR)

Ruan de Wet is a technical director at Meat Naturally Africa and one of the partners in the REPAiR project. Meat Naturally is a social enterprise that supports livestock farmers in rangeland restoration in Southern Africa.

Meat Naturally supports farmers in a number of ways to help look after the landscape, as we discuss in the episode, and also supports them collectively to get access to markets to sell their produce. We discuss the myths and misunderstandings around rangelands, the historical context in South Africa, and how planned grazing and controlled fires can help landscapes, animals and people to thrive. We also talk about the challenges of bringing together ecological science and other kinds of knowledge.

Links

REPAiR project

Meat Naturally Africa