For Saving the Survivors, working in this area means navigating challenging terrain and vast distances to reach injured or endangered animals — a true test of endurance and dedication in one of South Africa’s last great wild frontiers.
Several parts of the bushveld help people to live and thrive here, even in its often harsh conditions. The soil and vegetation support livestock and small-scale farming, with hardy grasses and browse plants sustaining cattle and goats. Seasonal rivers and natural springs provide vital water sources for both people and wildlife, while underground aquifers are tapped through boreholes for year-round use. The mopane and acacia woodlands supply firewood, building materials, and traditional medicines, forming a natural resource base for rural communities. The area’s rich biodiversity and scenic beauty also support eco-tourism, guiding, and conservation-related livelihoods. In essence, the environment provides a balance of sustenance, shelter, and opportunity — though survival here depends on respecting the land’s limits and working with nature’s rhythms rather than against them.
People here face a number of challenges shaped by the region’s harsh and unpredictable environment. Water scarcity is one of the biggest issues — long dry seasons and erratic rainfall make farming and daily life difficult, and many communities rely on boreholes that can run dry in drought years. The poor, rocky soils limit crop production, forcing many to depend on livestock or seasonal work instead.
