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A geographical investigation into women empowerment within the Makhuduthamaga local municipality, Limpopo, South AfricaThere is a noticeable improvement in the quality of the lives of women engaged in economic activities beyond the home. In a democratic South Africa, women – including those in rural areas – are being freed from their fixed gender roles.
 Today women are regarded as co-participants in any undertaking, whether as organisers, natural environmentalists or economists, in order to achieve sustainable development. It is for this reason that a number of laws and statutory bodies are in place to speed up the empowerment of women. Consequently, women as individuals or groups are doing their best to respond to the call of democracy in order to balance the equation which has for long remained skewed.
 In the study area of the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, women have initiated projects through mobilisation of their capabilities and available resources to sustain their personal needs, and those of their households. Hence, their well-being with regard to health, nutrition, mobility and social connectivity has improved. There is no doubt that these women are primary breadwinners for their families on a daily basis, as the majority have no other source of income or their husbands’ jobs are taken by migrant labour. The research reveals that, unless women stand up and take action to disprove what is known as ‘feminisation of poverty’, nothing good can happen.
 Through Participatory Rural Appraisal and Community Asset Mapping techniques, an observation of ethical considerations, participants responded willingly and exposed the realities of their lives.
 One remaining challenge that needs to be constantly monitored is that there should be a balance between policies and practices with men needing to be empowered to understand, accept and assist in the empowerment of women with a view to achieving sustainability in almost every undertaking.
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Phela o phedise : a case study of an income-generating project in Moganyaka communityParticipatory development is believed to be an essential ingredient of the development
 
 process because it enables the people to influence the policy and decision-making process. It 
 facilitates the designing of and enhances the implementation of plans and programmes or projects 
 and that participation results in the development of ownership and belonging among the people 
 themselves. This feeling in turn goes a long way to ensure the success of a programme or project.
 
 
 This study highlights some of the elements that led to the successful implementation of an 
 income-generating project with women. The study also demonstrates that the people's own ideas are 
 able to command adequate levels of participation, support and commitment to enhance their ability 
 to meet their needs. The study further looks at the ownership of the project as very important for 
 successful implementation and that projects or programmes should be facilitated within the means 
 of the local participants to manage and control them.
 
 The elements mentioned in this study are an essential part of participatory development and enable 
 the people to learn to take charge of their lives and solve their own problems.
 
 
 The study further looks at cultural and traditional values as an essential part of human growth, 
 because local action taken by the women is very important in promoting overall success of the 
 project.
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The role of food gardens in empowering women: A study of Makotse Women's Club in LimpopoThe article explores the role that food gardens can play in contributing to the empowerment of rural South African women. The goal of the study was to focus on likely other benefits - beyond economic advantages -realised by women who participate in the food gardens project. The study was essentially descriptive and qualitative in nature, and focused on a group of women working on a food gardens project in rural Limpopo. Through extensive fieldwork comprising observation and interviews, data were collected on the women's biographical characteristics, their knowledge of HIV and AIDS, their perceptions of women's roles, and their experiences of working in the food gardens. Findings indicate that the women gained knowledge and skills at the project that helped them earn a modest income and become more knowledgeable about such issues as HIV and AIDS. Participation in the food gardens encouraged a sense of community, self-worth and indeed a sense of belonging. Although many of the women still found it difficult to deal with issues such as male power and HIV-testing, participation validated their experiences and promoted positive self-perception. They felt able to talk about sex and condom use with their husbands and male partners. The experience offered them opportunities for empowerment via the development of agricultural skills, gaining acceptance amongst peers, building confidence in speaking out and starting to define collective goals.