Repair - A podcast about rangelands

This episode of the REPAiR Podcast is the third in a series that explores myths about rangelands and the ideas behind them, and what alternative stories and ideas can be found. This time, we’re talking about the myth that pastoralists need ‘more markets’ to thrive.
The event is introduced by Linda Pappagallo, coordinator of the REPAiR Project’s Rangeland Myths initiative. Our guest speakers were two historians: Timothy Gibbs (Paris Nanterre University), who shares insights on markets in South Africa, and Oluwaṣeun Williams (University College Dublin), who discusses the history of the livestock trade in Nigeria. You’ll also hear some reactions from Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, vet, writer and researcher on camels and pastoralism; and Lars Otto Naess, who works on climate adaptation and resilience at the Institute of Development Studies.
This event is part of our engagement with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, taking place for the whole of 2026.
Artwork: Tim Zocco
Links
Rangeland Myths (REPAiR Project series)
Think-piece by Linda Pappagallo on market myths
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit repairproject.substack.com

This episode of the REPAiR Podcast is the second in a series that explores myths about rangelands and the ideas behind them, and what alternative stories and ideas can be found. This time, we’re talking about the myth that mobility drives conflict and insecurity.
The event is introduced by Linda Pappagallo, coordinator of the REPAiR Project’s Rangeland Myths initiative. Our guest speaker is Teklehaymanot Weldemichel (University of Manchester), and we also hear from Mathilde Gingembre (Lazarski University), who co-chaired the discussion along with Tafadzwa Dzingwe of REPAiR.
This event is part of our engagement with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, taking place for the whole of 2026.
Links
Rangeland Myths (REPAiR Project series)
Think-piece by Linda Pappagallo on mobility myths
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit repairproject.substack.com

This episode is the first in a series about ‘rangeland myths’. This time, we’re talking about the myth that the so-called ‘tragedy of the commons’ is inevitable.  
Both our speakers are members of the REPAiR Project team: firstly, Amber Huff, research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK. And secondly Frank Matose, co-director of the Environmental Humanities South Centre at the University of Cape Town.
This event is part of our engagement with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, taking place for the whole of 2026.
Links
Rangeland Myths (REPAiR Project series)
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit repairproject.substack.com

Kevin Kirkman is Professor of Grassland Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and one of the partners in the REPAiR project. Kevin’s research covers many aspects of grassland ecology and management, including research on grazing, fire and restoration. In this episode, Kevin discusses what makes grasses and grasslands fascinating, what is special about the context of South Africa, and the challenges of bringing together ecological science with other kinds of knowledge.
Links:
Kevin Kirkman’s profile (UKZN website)
Understanding rangelands and grasslands (REPAiR)


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit repairproject.substack.com

Ruan de Wet is a technical director at Meat Naturally Africa and one of the partners in the REPAiR project. Meat Naturally is a social enterprise that supports livestock farmers in rangeland restoration in Southern Africa.
Meat Naturally supports farmers in a number of ways to help look after the landscape, as we discuss in the episode, and also supports them collectively to get access to markets to sell their produce. We discuss the myths and misunderstandings around rangelands, the historical context in South Africa, and how planned grazing and controlled fires can help landscapes, animals and people to thrive. We also talk about the challenges of bringing together ecological science and other kinds of knowledge.
Links
REPAiR project
Meat Naturally Africa


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit repairproject.substack.com