Communal rangelands in South Africa are generally perceived as overgrazed owing to complexities in their histories and collective utilisation which often leads to improper management. A suitable solution has not been found in land management policies because local people’s contexts and their indigenous knowledge are ignored. Hence, this paper is aimed at (i) assessing the role indigenous knowledge can play in communal rangeland management, (ii) exploring working solutions to incorporate indigenous knowledge into effective communal rangeland management and land use policies, (iii) assessing mechanisms for generational transfer of indigenous knowledge. Findings from the Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) and Focus Group Discussion, conducted with Cata and Guquka villages in the Eastern Cape province were synthesised. This revealed that communal farmers have in-depth knowledge of their communal land, past and present rangeland management strategies and changes in rangeland condition. However, there is breakdown in the indigenous knowledge system whereby this knowledge is not being transferred and translated into good rangeland management practice, owing to the ageing population of communal farmers, limited youth involvement in livestock farming and limited access to extension services. This suggests a need for new policy approaches that would include participation of local people in policy planning and development.

This paper provides a historical perspective on the evolution of water governance in the Republic of Ireland where long-term shifts in agricultural activities, demographic characteristics, water and debates over drinking water supply charges have influenced water resources governance and the integration of management practices. Drawing on threads from the past, the paper first describes how water governance from the early 1950s focused on rural access to water, pollution control and monitoring. With the advent of the Water Framework Directive in 2003, the crux of policy and management practices changed, with 81% of present policies mirroring Integrated Water Resource Management principles. However, issues such as the implementation of drinking water supply water charges and equitable access to water resources remain controversial. Looking to the future, the effects of climate change and land use planning, as well as demographic changes and international legislation are among those factors influencing water policy and management in the Republic of Ireland. Structured stakeholder engagement and further research directed at improving water quality is advocated to promote a sustainable and equitable water future.