Land-Based Livelihoods and the Covid-19 Challenge: Navigating the Social Capital-Social Distancing Tension on A1 Villages in Zimbabwe

This article examines the effect of social distancing on the social capital of beneficiaries of the A1 villagised model of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP). In the A1 model beneficiaries were allocated individual arable and residential plots, but shared grazing land, social infrastructure, and services. A1 model beneficiaries rely on social capital to access resources, support agricultural production and other livelihood activities. In this setting, social capital is central to the normal functioning of these communities. When social distancing as a measure to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus was introduced, this presented many challenges in A1 communities. This article looks at the challenges of observing social distancing in A1 beneficiary communities, which rely on interpersonal interaction to sustain livelihoods and life in general. Drawing from interviews with key informants in these communities, the article shows that social distancing is difficult to implement in communities that are built around strong social capital. The article illustrates that when confronted by challenges which come with practicing social distancing, beneficiaries of A1 communities opted to unite and protect their social capital and livelihoods.