Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies
@plaasuwc.bsky.social
The Institute for Poverty, Land, and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is an independent policy research hub within the Economic and Management Sciences Faculty at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
🌍 Africa does not have huge tracts of “vacant” land - a myth used to fuel land grabs, ecological destruction & dispossession. Join us in person or online for our new myth-busting report launch at the Conference on Land Policy in Africa at 15:00 GMT+3: shorturl.at/y0Efa
#AFSA @oaklandinstitute.org
#AFSA @oaklandinstitute.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:45 AM
🌍 Africa does not have huge tracts of “vacant” land - a myth used to fuel land grabs, ecological destruction & dispossession. Join us in person or online for our new myth-busting report launch at the Conference on Land Policy in Africa at 15:00 GMT+3: shorturl.at/y0Efa
#AFSA @oaklandinstitute.org
#AFSA @oaklandinstitute.org
Join Dr Lubabalo Mbekeni for a PLAAS academic seminar as he shares insights from his research on the Ebenhaeser community, a case study of how land reform can aid poverty reduction.
📆 Tuesday, 18 November 2025
🕐 13:00–14:00 SAST
📍 PLAAS Seminar Room, UWC
💻 Register: uwc.zoom.us/j/95585116993
📆 Tuesday, 18 November 2025
🕐 13:00–14:00 SAST
📍 PLAAS Seminar Room, UWC
💻 Register: uwc.zoom.us/j/95585116993
October 23, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Join Dr Lubabalo Mbekeni for a PLAAS academic seminar as he shares insights from his research on the Ebenhaeser community, a case study of how land reform can aid poverty reduction.
📆 Tuesday, 18 November 2025
🕐 13:00–14:00 SAST
📍 PLAAS Seminar Room, UWC
💻 Register: uwc.zoom.us/j/95585116993
📆 Tuesday, 18 November 2025
🕐 13:00–14:00 SAST
📍 PLAAS Seminar Room, UWC
💻 Register: uwc.zoom.us/j/95585116993
The #PLAAS30 Land, Life and Society conference kicked off yesterday with important keynote addresses and plenaries from experts.
Watch the replays here:
Plenary 1 Keynotes: shorturl.at/itENF
Plenary 2 Politics: shorturl.at/fAclP
For information on upcoming plenaries: lnkd.in/ef2Ct_25
Watch the replays here:
Plenary 1 Keynotes: shorturl.at/itENF
Plenary 2 Politics: shorturl.at/fAclP
For information on upcoming plenaries: lnkd.in/ef2Ct_25
October 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The #PLAAS30 Land, Life and Society conference kicked off yesterday with important keynote addresses and plenaries from experts.
Watch the replays here:
Plenary 1 Keynotes: shorturl.at/itENF
Plenary 2 Politics: shorturl.at/fAclP
For information on upcoming plenaries: lnkd.in/ef2Ct_25
Watch the replays here:
Plenary 1 Keynotes: shorturl.at/itENF
Plenary 2 Politics: shorturl.at/fAclP
For information on upcoming plenaries: lnkd.in/ef2Ct_25
Day 1 opens with keynotes from SA Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mzwanele Nyhontso; Morgan Ody, @via_campesina General Coordinator; Professor @IssaShivji from the University of Dar es Salaam; with @RuthHallPLAAS as chair. Programme shorturl.at/WlUfb #PLAAS30
October 7, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Day 1 opens with keynotes from SA Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mzwanele Nyhontso; Morgan Ody, @via_campesina General Coordinator; Professor @IssaShivji from the University of Dar es Salaam; with @RuthHallPLAAS as chair. Programme shorturl.at/WlUfb #PLAAS30
The Land, Life and Society Conference is live! Watch our plenaries via live stream on our YouTube account.
This conference will be a marker of a memorable 30 years of PLAAS and a solid road towards ICARRD+20. Thank you for creating it with us. #PLAAS30 www.youtube.com/@PlaasOrgZaUWC
This conference will be a marker of a memorable 30 years of PLAAS and a solid road towards ICARRD+20. Thank you for creating it with us. #PLAAS30 www.youtube.com/@PlaasOrgZaUWC
October 7, 2025 at 7:26 AM
The Land, Life and Society Conference is live! Watch our plenaries via live stream on our YouTube account.
This conference will be a marker of a memorable 30 years of PLAAS and a solid road towards ICARRD+20. Thank you for creating it with us. #PLAAS30 www.youtube.com/@PlaasOrgZaUWC
This conference will be a marker of a memorable 30 years of PLAAS and a solid road towards ICARRD+20. Thank you for creating it with us. #PLAAS30 www.youtube.com/@PlaasOrgZaUWC
African communities are on the frontline of a crisis we did not create. What paths to addressing the climate emergency — rooted in justice, solidarity, and respect for nature — are open to us? Join this Masterclass with @kuminaidoo.bsky.social. Register and find class resources: shorturl.at/aDjdc
October 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
African communities are on the frontline of a crisis we did not create. What paths to addressing the climate emergency — rooted in justice, solidarity, and respect for nature — are open to us? Join this Masterclass with @kuminaidoo.bsky.social. Register and find class resources: shorturl.at/aDjdc
How do you write a well-grounded journal article? These researchers will refine their manuscripts at the Journal of Peasant Studies writeshop on critical agrarian studies.
Learn more about our participants: plaas.org.za/sarchi-chair...
#PLAAS30
Learn more about our participants: plaas.org.za/sarchi-chair...
#PLAAS30
September 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM
How do you write a well-grounded journal article? These researchers will refine their manuscripts at the Journal of Peasant Studies writeshop on critical agrarian studies.
Learn more about our participants: plaas.org.za/sarchi-chair...
#PLAAS30
Learn more about our participants: plaas.org.za/sarchi-chair...
#PLAAS30
📝 Dr Chipenda will go into more details about this work, his methodologies, and his findings at the seminar. If you have questions, you can send them to us via our BlueSky Chat. Register below.
September 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
📝 Dr Chipenda will go into more details about this work, his methodologies, and his findings at the seminar. If you have questions, you can send them to us via our BlueSky Chat. Register below.
Join Dr Clement Chipenda on Tuesday for an academic seminar, where he will share insights from his fascinating research on Zimbabwe's medium-scale farming sector.
📆 Tuesday, 23/09/2025
🕐 13:00-14:00
📍PLAAS Seminar Room or via Zoom: shorturl.at/YYZTm
What does his research show? 🧵👇🏾
#AcademicSky
📆 Tuesday, 23/09/2025
🕐 13:00-14:00
📍PLAAS Seminar Room or via Zoom: shorturl.at/YYZTm
What does his research show? 🧵👇🏾
#AcademicSky
September 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Join Dr Clement Chipenda on Tuesday for an academic seminar, where he will share insights from his fascinating research on Zimbabwe's medium-scale farming sector.
📆 Tuesday, 23/09/2025
🕐 13:00-14:00
📍PLAAS Seminar Room or via Zoom: shorturl.at/YYZTm
What does his research show? 🧵👇🏾
#AcademicSky
📆 Tuesday, 23/09/2025
🕐 13:00-14:00
📍PLAAS Seminar Room or via Zoom: shorturl.at/YYZTm
What does his research show? 🧵👇🏾
#AcademicSky
Our next four participants for the JPS writing workshop have many shared and unique research interests, ranging from agrarian political economy to gender equity.
Meet Bernard Ekumah, Courage Rodwell Bakasa, Diane Tapimali, and Jabulile Manyike.
#PLAAS30
Meet Bernard Ekumah, Courage Rodwell Bakasa, Diane Tapimali, and Jabulile Manyike.
#PLAAS30
September 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Our next four participants for the JPS writing workshop have many shared and unique research interests, ranging from agrarian political economy to gender equity.
Meet Bernard Ekumah, Courage Rodwell Bakasa, Diane Tapimali, and Jabulile Manyike.
#PLAAS30
Meet Bernard Ekumah, Courage Rodwell Bakasa, Diane Tapimali, and Jabulile Manyike.
#PLAAS30
💪🏾 We're gearing up for our 30th anniversary Land, Life and Society Conference, happening at @uwconline.bsky.social from 7-9 Oct. We're kicking off with a Journal of Peasant Studies Africa Writeshop on Critical Agrarian Studies & Scholar Activism. These 4 will join 17 others in Cape Town. 🚀 #PLAAS30
September 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
💪🏾 We're gearing up for our 30th anniversary Land, Life and Society Conference, happening at @uwconline.bsky.social from 7-9 Oct. We're kicking off with a Journal of Peasant Studies Africa Writeshop on Critical Agrarian Studies & Scholar Activism. These 4 will join 17 others in Cape Town. 🚀 #PLAAS30
Why is communications vital for funding in 2025 and beyond? How do people understand "land justice"? Are we creating decolonised environmental policies? Prof @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social, Nkayniso Gumede and Oluwaseyi Agboola brought their expertise to Research Week at @uwconline.bsky.social.
September 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Why is communications vital for funding in 2025 and beyond? How do people understand "land justice"? Are we creating decolonised environmental policies? Prof @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social, Nkayniso Gumede and Oluwaseyi Agboola brought their expertise to Research Week at @uwconline.bsky.social.
It's day two of the third Urban Land Justice Gathering at Workshop17 at the V&A Waterfront. At 14:30, PLAAS researcher Nkanyiso Gumede and research associate Siphesihle Mbhele talk strategies for inclusive land redistribution plans for marginalised people. #ULJG2025
August 23, 2025 at 7:51 AM
It's day two of the third Urban Land Justice Gathering at Workshop17 at the V&A Waterfront. At 14:30, PLAAS researcher Nkanyiso Gumede and research associate Siphesihle Mbhele talk strategies for inclusive land redistribution plans for marginalised people. #ULJG2025
"We need to dismantle the 'property' concept."
Justice means:
- Reclaiming the commons;
- Expropriating private property to avail land;
- Understanding the regulation, limit, and constraints on private because of how financialised it has become.
~ @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social
#ULJG2025
Justice means:
- Reclaiming the commons;
- Expropriating private property to avail land;
- Understanding the regulation, limit, and constraints on private because of how financialised it has become.
~ @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social
#ULJG2025
August 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
"We need to dismantle the 'property' concept."
Justice means:
- Reclaiming the commons;
- Expropriating private property to avail land;
- Understanding the regulation, limit, and constraints on private because of how financialised it has become.
~ @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social
#ULJG2025
Justice means:
- Reclaiming the commons;
- Expropriating private property to avail land;
- Understanding the regulation, limit, and constraints on private because of how financialised it has become.
~ @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social
#ULJG2025
Professor @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social joins the programme today at the third Urban Land Justice programme, and tomorrow, you'll hear from research associate Siphesihle Mbhele on a panel facilitated by researcher Nkanyiso Gumede. Keep an eye on our socials.
August 22, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Professor @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social joins the programme today at the third Urban Land Justice programme, and tomorrow, you'll hear from research associate Siphesihle Mbhele on a panel facilitated by researcher Nkanyiso Gumede. Keep an eye on our socials.
Tomorrow! We're at the third Urban Land Justice Gathering, co-hosted by Ndifuna Ukwazi, the Housing Development Agency, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, and the A City Occupied Collective.
📅 22-23 August 2025
📍 Workshop17, CT
RSVPs are closed, but watch the socials for updates.
📅 22-23 August 2025
📍 Workshop17, CT
RSVPs are closed, but watch the socials for updates.
August 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Tomorrow! We're at the third Urban Land Justice Gathering, co-hosted by Ndifuna Ukwazi, the Housing Development Agency, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, and the A City Occupied Collective.
📅 22-23 August 2025
📍 Workshop17, CT
RSVPs are closed, but watch the socials for updates.
📅 22-23 August 2025
📍 Workshop17, CT
RSVPs are closed, but watch the socials for updates.
Exciting news! Dr @sandrobsimon.bsky.social joins PLAAS next week for an academic seminar. He'll be delving into his work on gleaning. You can join us online or in person. Read more about the seminar and register via Zoom on this link. shorturl.at/ib81d
#PLAASAcademicSeminar
#PLAASAcademicSeminar
July 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Exciting news! Dr @sandrobsimon.bsky.social joins PLAAS next week for an academic seminar. He'll be delving into his work on gleaning. You can join us online or in person. Read more about the seminar and register via Zoom on this link. shorturl.at/ib81d
#PLAASAcademicSeminar
#PLAASAcademicSeminar
Thank you to Prof Jose Frantz, DVC for Research and Innovation at @uwconline.bsky.social, for her #PLAAS30 anniversary wish. This message is for those who have helped us create impactful work for the last three decades - the visionaries, tireless activists, and our generous supporters. 🎉
July 3, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Thank you to Prof Jose Frantz, DVC for Research and Innovation at @uwconline.bsky.social, for her #PLAAS30 anniversary wish. This message is for those who have helped us create impactful work for the last three decades - the visionaries, tireless activists, and our generous supporters. 🎉
Today, PLAAS celebrates its 30th anniversary! 🎂
Director Prof @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social says PLAAS is as important now as it was when it first started in 1995. Listen to her birthday message, and celebrate with us by sending us your wish for next 30 years of PLAAS. 🎤 forms.gle/dpGigm3HBLkn...
Director Prof @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social says PLAAS is as important now as it was when it first started in 1995. Listen to her birthday message, and celebrate with us by sending us your wish for next 30 years of PLAAS. 🎤 forms.gle/dpGigm3HBLkn...
July 1, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Today, PLAAS celebrates its 30th anniversary! 🎂
Director Prof @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social says PLAAS is as important now as it was when it first started in 1995. Listen to her birthday message, and celebrate with us by sending us your wish for next 30 years of PLAAS. 🎤 forms.gle/dpGigm3HBLkn...
Director Prof @ruthhallplaas.bsky.social says PLAAS is as important now as it was when it first started in 1995. Listen to her birthday message, and celebrate with us by sending us your wish for next 30 years of PLAAS. 🎤 forms.gle/dpGigm3HBLkn...
📍This Thursday
Land dispossession, racial exclusions to natural resources, & climate change means decolonised conservation is more urgent than ever. Join our online Masterclass with Prof Thembela Kepe for examples from the South.
📖 More info: shorturl.at/H3KXT
💻 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
Land dispossession, racial exclusions to natural resources, & climate change means decolonised conservation is more urgent than ever. Join our online Masterclass with Prof Thembela Kepe for examples from the South.
📖 More info: shorturl.at/H3KXT
💻 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
June 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
📍This Thursday
Land dispossession, racial exclusions to natural resources, & climate change means decolonised conservation is more urgent than ever. Join our online Masterclass with Prof Thembela Kepe for examples from the South.
📖 More info: shorturl.at/H3KXT
💻 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
Land dispossession, racial exclusions to natural resources, & climate change means decolonised conservation is more urgent than ever. Join our online Masterclass with Prof Thembela Kepe for examples from the South.
📖 More info: shorturl.at/H3KXT
💻 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
What are the efforts towards decolonising biodiversity conservation, and why do its issues persist? Learn from the Living Landscapes in Action Masterclass with Professor Thembela Kepe.
🗓️ Thursday, 12 June 2025
🕙 10:00 - 13:00 SAST
📝 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
📖 Suggested reading: shorturl.at/1qrRf
🗓️ Thursday, 12 June 2025
🕙 10:00 - 13:00 SAST
📝 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
📖 Suggested reading: shorturl.at/1qrRf
May 30, 2025 at 11:16 AM
What are the efforts towards decolonising biodiversity conservation, and why do its issues persist? Learn from the Living Landscapes in Action Masterclass with Professor Thembela Kepe.
🗓️ Thursday, 12 June 2025
🕙 10:00 - 13:00 SAST
📝 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
📖 Suggested reading: shorturl.at/1qrRf
🗓️ Thursday, 12 June 2025
🕙 10:00 - 13:00 SAST
📝 Register: shorturl.at/jmsAS
📖 Suggested reading: shorturl.at/1qrRf
Watch the trailer for Mathonga Elizwe here, and we'll see you later! 🌱 file:///Users/admin/Downloads/mathonga_elizwe_early_teaser_v2%20(240p).mp4
May 14, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Watch the trailer for Mathonga Elizwe here, and we'll see you later! 🌱 file:///Users/admin/Downloads/mathonga_elizwe_early_teaser_v2%20(240p).mp4
🍿 FREE: Join us on 14 May 2025 at @uwconline.bsky.social
for a screening of the acclaimed 'Mathonga Elizwe - Spirits of the Nation'. Directed by international award-winning creator Tsogo Kupa, the documentary reveals the experiences of land claimants and labour tenants in their fight for justice.
for a screening of the acclaimed 'Mathonga Elizwe - Spirits of the Nation'. Directed by international award-winning creator Tsogo Kupa, the documentary reveals the experiences of land claimants and labour tenants in their fight for justice.
May 2, 2025 at 10:32 AM
🍿 FREE: Join us on 14 May 2025 at @uwconline.bsky.social
for a screening of the acclaimed 'Mathonga Elizwe - Spirits of the Nation'. Directed by international award-winning creator Tsogo Kupa, the documentary reveals the experiences of land claimants and labour tenants in their fight for justice.
for a screening of the acclaimed 'Mathonga Elizwe - Spirits of the Nation'. Directed by international award-winning creator Tsogo Kupa, the documentary reveals the experiences of land claimants and labour tenants in their fight for justice.
📢📢 Coming up at 10:00 SAST today: Don't miss this Masterclass on comparative land law in Africa. It's going to be a jam-packed three hours, with context and facts about the continent's legal traditions, colonial legacies, and innovations in land law. Register below if you haven't already.
March 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM
📢📢 Coming up at 10:00 SAST today: Don't miss this Masterclass on comparative land law in Africa. It's going to be a jam-packed three hours, with context and facts about the continent's legal traditions, colonial legacies, and innovations in land law. Register below if you haven't already.
At PLAAS this week:
- The call for papers closes today for our October international conference on Land, Life and Society.
- Masterclass on comparative land law in Africa.
- Public dialogue with SA's Rural Development and Land Reform Minister
- Calls for applications.
Read more: shorturl.at/4EtH0
- The call for papers closes today for our October international conference on Land, Life and Society.
- Masterclass on comparative land law in Africa.
- Public dialogue with SA's Rural Development and Land Reform Minister
- Calls for applications.
Read more: shorturl.at/4EtH0
March 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
At PLAAS this week:
- The call for papers closes today for our October international conference on Land, Life and Society.
- Masterclass on comparative land law in Africa.
- Public dialogue with SA's Rural Development and Land Reform Minister
- Calls for applications.
Read more: shorturl.at/4EtH0
- The call for papers closes today for our October international conference on Land, Life and Society.
- Masterclass on comparative land law in Africa.
- Public dialogue with SA's Rural Development and Land Reform Minister
- Calls for applications.
Read more: shorturl.at/4EtH0