The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)

How is bridging the urban and rural divide key to a stronger democracy in Southern Africa? 🤔

In his latest article, Boa Monjane explains that the fragmentation between urban and rural communities only further entrenches ‘erratic democracy’ in , where elections are held, but social justice lags.

He points to case studies, such as the ProSavana movement in Mozambique, which was successful because rural peasants teamed up with urban professionals and lawyers to prevent a massive land-grab project. ✊🏾

He recommends that for democracy to benefit all, it must bridge the spatial divide between urban and rural communities first.

Read here:

Bridging divides against erratic democratic trajectories: the politics of rural and urban social movements in Southern Africa This article examines the complex relationship between social and popular movements in Southern Africa across sectors and geographies amid erratic democracy. It analyzes how these sectorial and geo...

This 🌊, we're highlighting research that puts small-scale fishers at the center of conversations about ocean governance.

This new paper 📊 explores what causes conflict for small-scale fishers while they’re trying to eke out a living and maps out the different forms of conflict that artisanal fishers face across the Global South.

The research found more than 1,000 conflicts over the study period, most of which were verbal disagreements. But because they’re non-violent, it draws less attention, yet they define how the ocean is used, managed, and who benefits from it.

Using 10 years of data across 34 African countries, PLAAS Professors Mafa Hara and Moenieba Isaacs, alongside other researchers, help understand and map out what fair interventions for small-scale fishers could look like.

Read this blog in The Conversation Africa to learn more about what this means, including for South Africa’s blue economy. 🎣 🌍

Disputes over Africa’s ocean resources: here’s what could help avoid them As ocean uses expand, it will be necessary to reduce disputes because they disrupt the environmental sustainability and equity central to a blue economy.

What can South Africa learn from Colombia’s land reform programmes? PLAAS researcher Nkanyiso Gumede shares insights in this Food For Mzansi article.

A key lesson he shares is the subdivision of farmland for mixed farming, where families retain autonomy over their own production, while participating in collective commercial production, allowing them to compete better with corporations. We saw this happen on a certain farm during our time at the conference in Cartagena.

This is one of four insights he shares. To learn more, visit:

Four lessons from Colombia to fix South Africa’s land reform Examine the challenges of land reform in South Africa and the role of international lessons in addressing land inequality.

Join us and the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) at the The University of the Western Cape for a public lecture by Cuba Ambassador to South Africa, HE Fakri Rodríguez Pinelo. Through his lecture titled “The current situation in Cuba, and bilateral relations between Cuba and South Africa”, Ambassador HE Rodríguez will reflect on the current social, economic and political context in Cuba and the country's longstanding relationship with South Africa.

🗓️ Wednesday, 20 May 2026
🕜 13h30 – 16h00
📍Library Auditorium, University of the Western Cape, Bellville Campus
RSVP is essential: https://shorturl.at/hrLut

Students! Solidarity in 2026 has a different look. This is critical conversation tomorrow will delve into what that means for Norway - a key supporter during apartheid and in a context that no longer exists. What is the call for solidarity today?

Join us on campus The University of the Western Cape tomorrow to ask the questions and enjoy a light lunch with us. The speaker line-up is 🔥

Colloquium - Solidarity then and now: African and Norwegian perspectives on scholarly collaboration and social justice amid geopolitical change | Plaas Colloquium invitation Solidarity then and now: African and Norwegian perspectives on scholarly collaboration and social justice amid geopolitical change Thursday, 7 May 2026 12:00 to 13:30 (SAST) University of the Western Cape, Bellville Campus Library Auditorium / livestream Lunch will be served af...

Can solidarity from a moment in history be reimagined for the present geopolitical moment?

Join us for our colloquium on Solidarity then and Now, with a panel of experts from Africa and Norway at The University of the Western Cape. Lunch will be served after the event.

🗓️ Thursday, 7 May 2026
🕛 12:00 to 13:30 (SAST)
📍 University of the Western Cape, Bellville Campus
Library Auditorium / livestream (livestream link will be shared with confirmed RSVPs)
🥙 Lunch will be served after the event
✅ RSVP is necessary (in the link)

Over a long time, partnerships between academic institutions in Norway and across Africa have centred on democracy, governance, and social justice, and increasingly climate justice.

To what extent is this a form of solidarity, and how have partnerships advanced scholarship for social justice and the public good in both countries? What does, and what should, solidarity mean now?

Panel discussion:
A facilitated panel discussion with leading African and Norwegian scholars:

Professor Tor Halvorsen, University of Bergen
Professor Lyn Ossome, Makerere University News
Professor Moenieba Isaacs, PLAAS, The University of the Western Cape
Professor Poul Wisborg, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Mr Siphesihle Mbhele, PLAAS, The University of the Western Cape
Professor James Murombedzi, former head, African Climate Policy Centre, UNECA
Chair: Professor Ruth Hall, The University of the Western Cape

Colloquium - Solidarity then and now: African and Norwegian perspectives on scholarly collaboration and social justice amid geopolitical change | Plaas Colloquium invitation Solidarity then and now: African and Norwegian perspectives on scholarly collaboration and social justice amid geopolitical change Thursday, 7 May 2026 12:00 to 13:30 (SAST) University of the Western Cape, Bellville Campus Library Auditorium / livestream Lunch will be served af...

📢 Happening tomorrow! We hope to see you there!
🗓️ Tuesday, 14 April 2026
🕥 10:30 – 12:30
📍 Edith Stephens Nature Reserve - Govan Mbeki Road, Philippi, Cape Town
✅ RSVP https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8GmDhFcGXunnS4QjC0P74Vm9d-jYrzw-jWuVi6DNh0l5BtQ/viewform

New report launch: Urban conservation from the perspective of justice in Cape Town | Plaas Urban nature as commons: The case of Cape Town, South Africa Tuesday, 14 April 2026 10:30 – 12:30 Edith Stephens Nature Reserve Govan Mbeki Road, Philippi, Cape Town Location RSVP by 10 April 2026 ‘How do working class urban communities see nature conservation, and how can it be pursued to meet ...

‘How do working class urban people see nature conservation, and how can it be pursued to meet social justice as well as biodiversity objectives?’ Our new research shows how to think about urban conservation differently.

🚀 RSVP for the launch of our new report on conservation in Cape Town, happening on Tuesday next week.

🗓️ Tuesday, 14 April 2026
🕥10:30 – 12:30
📍 Edith Stephens Nature Reserve - Govan Mbeki Road, Philippi
Location
✅ RSVP by 10 April 2026

New report launch: Urban conservation from the perspective of justice in Cape Town | Plaas Urban nature as commons: The case of Cape Town, South Africa Tuesday, 14 April 2026 10:30 – 12:30 Edith Stephens Nature Reserve Govan Mbeki Road, Philippi, Cape Town Location RSVP by 10 April 2026 ‘How do working class urban communities see nature conservation, and how can it be pursued to meet ...