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Finding Compromise and Cooperation Through PAR for Spiritual Rituals in the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Catherine M. Dzerefos

Action Research2026https://doi.org/10.1177/14767503261418529article
AJG 1
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened human pressures on the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve (MBR), harming biodiversity and polluting water sources. In response, two community-led initiatives, the Save Our Species Eco-Rangers and the Majakaneng hiking trail, catalysed environmental stewardship. Building on these, a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project engaged traditional health practitioners and churches using natural spaces for spiritual practices. The overall objective of this article is to demonstrate how PAR can facilitate context-sensitive, transformative environmental management in culturally and spiritually significant landscapes. A key stakeholder matrix, the Nominal Group Technique, photo-elicitation and participatory mapping were used to identify role players, sacred natural sites and determine collective priorities for community-led environmental stewardship. A key theme emerging was access control, implemented through permits, fees, and protocols. At one site introducing bookings and fees for clean-ups and guided hikes improved socio-ecological conditions. Eco-literacy, feedback and engagement were initiated through signage, flyers and sharing on social media but needs to continue and spread to other sites. This iterative, collaborative approach shows how participatory methods can turn environmental threats into opportunities, advancing both environmental sustainability and post-apartheid transformation.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/14767503261418529

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@article{catherine2026,
  title        = {{Finding Compromise and Cooperation Through PAR for Spiritual Rituals in the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa}},
  author       = {Catherine M. Dzerefos},
  journal      = {Action Research},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/14767503261418529},
}

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Finding Compromise and Cooperation Through PAR for Spiritual Rituals in the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.