Customary to modern transition: challenges and recent advances: a commentary on Delville's paper: the impact of HIV/AIDS on land issues - draft paper

Abstract

Delville has emphasised the importance of an "evolutionary" process that underpins the adaptability and responsiveness of existing customary systems and the intention not to constrain local coping strategies that ensures more security for existing rights. Indeed, land tenure reform must be built n a thorough understanding of the livelihood strategies of those intended to benefit if a fundamental goal is to enhance and to secure people's land rights. However, if the abstract system described by Delville is truly to be effective in the African context it should have at its center a conceptualization of the impact of HIV/AIDS on land issues pertaining especially to rural households and their survival strategies.