Extreme temperatures — searing heat in summer and cool, dry winters — add to the hardship, while isolation and poor infrastructure mean that access to healthcare, education, and markets is often limited. People also live alongside wildlife, which, while a source of pride and opportunity through tourism, can cause conflict when elephants damage crops or predators attack livestock.
People living north of the Soutpansberg have adapted to the bushveld environment through a mix of traditional knowledge, resourcefulness, and innovation. Many communities practice subsistence farming suited to the dry conditions — planting drought-resistant crops like sorghum, millet, and cowpeas, and keeping hardy livestock such as goats that can survive on sparse grazing. Water conservation is vital: rainwater is harvested in tanks, and boreholes are carefully managed to sustain use through the dry season. Locals use indigenous trees and plants not only for food and medicine but also for shade, fuel, and building materials, ensuring nothing is wasted. Increasingly, people are turning to eco-tourism, game farming, and conservation work as alternative sources of income, working alongside organisations like Saving the Survivors to protect wildlife while supporting livelihoods. These adaptations show a deep respect for the land — a balance between survival and stewardship in one of South Africa’s most demanding yet rewarding environments.
