Testing middle ground: facilitating community transition to sustainable land governance

This study critically examines the implications of "replacement theories" in South Africa's land reform context, which advocate for rapid changes to land tenure systems without thorough transitional measures. It emphasises the need to assess the resilience of communal settlements during transitions between land governance systems. The study highlights the potential challenges of unpreparedness, conflicts, and institutional capacity issues resulting from overlooking comprehensive transitional measures. By proposing a framework for evaluating communal settlements' readiness for transitions, the study aims to contribute to the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of land governance reforms.