Posts

South Africa’s citrus sector faces a quadruple hit this August—steep new US tariffs, cancelled shipping lines, competitor dumping, and the unforgiving timing of peak harvest and contract commitments. This blog unpacks the industry’s transitional vulnerability and strategies for resilience.

Tim Pittaway

In agriculture, change is constant — from shifting markets and climate pressures to new regulations — but it’s the “in-between” moments, when systems are in flux and outcomes uncertain, that create what I call transitional vulnerability: a heightened exposure to risk as rules change, power dynamics surface, and capacity gaps widen. Drawing on my research with emerging ostrich farmers in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, I saw how some turned these challenges into opportunities through cooperatives, diversification, and local networks, while others were left behind when support faded. Recognising transitional vulnerability early can turn instability into a springboard for inclusive governance, future-ready capacity-building, and resilient, equitable systems.

Tim Pittaway

This paper introduces a transitional vulnerability framework for rethinking Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the context of escalating climate, ecological, and social crises. Moving beyond the technocratic view of NBS as universally beneficial, it frames transitions as layered, non-linear, and power-laden processes shaped by historical injustices, governance structures, and entangled human–nature relationships. The framework identifies four interlinked layers—structural and environmental conditions, biophysical–ecological and socio-institutional dynamics, negotiated processes of change, and contingent futures—emphasising that NBS outcomes can range from inclusive adaptation to exclusion and elite capture. By recognising multiple timelines, feedback loops, and the contested nature of transformation, it calls for reflexive, participatory, and adaptive approaches that acknowledge inequality, embrace conflict, and design NBS with humility and justice at their core.

Tim Pittaway

Human connection to nature has fallen by 60% in just 200 years. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a vulnerability. A recent Guardian article shows that urbanisation, biodiversity loss, and the breakdown of intergenerational relationships with the land have left many communities less resilient to ecological and social shocks.

Tim Pittaway

Many academic skilled workers face growing uncertainty as job eligibility, salary thresholds, and transition protections tighten on the path to Indefinite Leave to Remain. This article breaks down the latest policy changes, highlights who’s at risk, and explains how SOC codes and salary discounts impact careers in higher education, plus what institutions and individuals must do to secure their future in UK academia. hashtag#SkilledVisa hashtag#UK hashtag#Academic hashtag#TransitionalVulnerability

Tim Pittaway

From village roots to metro dreams—what does it really take for Eastern Cape youth to thrive at university? Leaving behind the familiar, journeys packed with hope, discover the invisible hurdles that Eastern Cape students from Xhosa communities face as they navigate big city universities. From culture shock to financial pressures, technology gaps to homesickness, their stories remind us: education is not just about books, but bridging worlds.

Tim Pittaway