The myth that pastoralists simply need ‘more markets’ to thrive rests on a set of deeply rooted assumptions about markets and animal husbandry.

A stark line is sometimes drawn between ‘industrial/commercial’ and ‘informal’ segments of South Africa’s meat industry. But are such distinctions helpful?

Bias against mobile livelihoods has a long history, through colonial regimes into modern development thinking. But mobility can be a vital tool for connection and resilience.

As the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists calls attention to the global diversity, importance, and governance of the world’s rangelands, the myth of the tragedy of the commons is particularly relevant and illustrative of the power and dangers of universalising and reductive myths.

In this introductory blog on ‘rangeland myths’ we emphasise the need to rethink what we think we know about rangelands and pastoralism in ways that are open to diverse perspectives, experience and knowledges.

Through 2026, the REPAiR is hosting a series of activities that explore ‘rangeland myths’ in global perspective. We offer an open invitation to get involved, share your experiences and stories, and help us to rethink what we think we know about rangelands and pastoralism.

In the second episode of our podcast, Kevin Kirkman discusses the complex world beneath our feet, how a grassland ecologist works, and the need to bring scientific knowledge together with the social contexts of livestock farming in South Africa.

Can poetry and comics help us think differently about rangelands?

In the first episode of our podcast, Ruan de Wet discusses misunderstandings about rangelands, and explains how Meat Naturally works with farmers in Southern Africa.