EXPLORING FACTORS LIMITING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN CATTLE FARMING IN LIMPOPO, HA- LUVHIMBI VILLAGE.

In the heart of Limpopo, where cattle farming is both livelihood and legacy, women are still fighting for a seat at the kraal.

At the South African Humanities Dean’s Association (SAHUDA) Conference 2025 held at the Mthatha campus, Netshithothole Rialivhuwa Tertia, a deanery secretary in the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Venda shed light on the persistent barriers limiting women’s participation in cattle farming.

Tertia’s presentation brought into sharp focus a concerning situation of how women aspiring to venture into cattle farming struggle to make a breakthrough due to traditional customs and cultural norms in Tshivenda culture.

In her presentation, Tertia detailed how traditional customs in Tshivenda culture that are deeply rooted in the social and spiritual fabric of the Vhavenda people, limit or prevent women from even entering a cattle kraal.

“Due to cultural considerations in indigenous communities, women of childbearing age are prohibited to enter a kraal based on the belief that they are unclean and could impact the cattle’s wellbeing,” she said.

More concerning for Tertia, is the fact that while the government continues accelerating its efforts to thrust women into the agricultural sector across the country, for women in Limpopo’s Ha-Luvhimbi Village, cultural stereotypes are still crippling them.

At this small village, ownership of livestock as well as decision-making, are things only reserved for men.

“In traditional gender roles, women are associated with caregiving and men with leadership and breadwinning, this dichotomy perpetuates the exclusion of women from decision making processes in cattle farming and limiting women’s economic empowerment,” Tertia shared.

For most women at this community, the dream of owning cattle would only be realised after a husband had died leaving their women with cattle inheritance.

So what is the plan to address these challenges faced by the women? Tertia believes ramping up economic initiatives to empower women, could make a meaningful difference.

These may include providing microfinance workshops, training or mentorship opportunities, she said. 

By Mahle Sokiti