The impact of relocation on social relationships in a ‘betterment’ area in Transkei∗

Abstract

Agricultural ‘betterment’ schemes affecting Blacks in rural Southern Africa have frequently involved residential relocation and the reorganization of patterns of land use on the one hand, and negative social and economic effects on the other. In this paper the documented social effects of ‘betterment’ in Ciskei and Transkei are reviewed, with a view to predicting the consequences of the current implementation of such a scheme in part of the Willowvale district, Transkei. In both respects an attempt is made to relate the social consequences of betterment to (a) the impact of residential relocation and changing patterns of land use on forms of community organization and co‐operation, and (b) the way in which it is experienced by those affected.