Summary

Principally, the study sought to use scenario planning to generate knowledge on the local  women's understanding of the GLTFCA initiative and how this would impact on their livelihoods. An assessment of the women's current livelihood strategies was made and drivers that would affect their future livelihoods identified. The likelihood of a coexistence between humans and wildlife was also investigated and the major findings are presented below.

Scenario planning though difficult in the beginning can be adopted as a development tool by semi-illiterate rural communities, as shown by cases from Beitbridge District. However, the process needs a lot of time. My recommendation is that NGOs and other development practitionners should adopt the methodology and test it within their own contexts.

The meaning and extent of the GLTFCA initiative should be fully explained to women in  Chikwarakwara and Tshipise so that they are fully aware of its coverage and implications. This will go a long way in removing fears and resentment caused by misinformation from hearsay and ignorance. The government with support from development agencies should build secondary schools and encourage children to attend school in the two villages. This will ultimately increase their chances to compete with other people for better jobs. Currently there are no secondary schools hence the prevalence of low literacy levels. INformants greatly appreciate proposals to build a bridge linking Zimbabwe and South Africa as this will facilitate safe travel across the Limpopo River and promote more business; Currently they are illegally crossing over to South Africa. Cases of people being washed away or being attacked by crocodiles are not rare. While such infrastructure development is going on, efforts should be made to ensure that wildlife habitats and pasture for livestock are maintained. While most of the women indicated that human-wildlife co-existence in the GLTFCA would not be possible because the animals would destroy their sources of livelihoods, ecotourism should be promoted  in the area. Women must be assured of their safety together with their crops and animals. Women informants also urge authorities to construct a high voltage electric fence to deter animals especially elephants from attacking crops, people, infrastructure and animals. Meanwhile community men should also be taught traditional methods of chasing way elephants.

The GLTFCA initiative should ensure that women participate and benefit from the wildlife management initiatives. There should be devolution of tenure rights and power should end at local/community level and not only at the RDC level and with women and not only with man. The GLTFCA initiative should develop local entrepreneurs hence should facilitate in training the locals on professional Art and Crafting.