Fighting fences and land grabbers in the struggle for the Commons in N≠a Jaqna, Namibia

Abstract Livestock owners, elites and non-elites alike, from different parts of Namibia fence in land that belongs to the indigenous San people who collectively manage their as a conservancy. Fencing violates Communal Land Reform Act 2002. The conservancy started lawsuit August 2013 with reference this remove fences end illegal occupation land. High Court ruled 2016 favour conservancy, but have not been removed more settlers settled We conceptualize analyse act fencing grabbing argue simultaneously legal battle is than struggle for justice. case unfolds an ontological between actors, institutions respective policies discourses, pivoting on conflicting visions modernities (rural) development Tsumkwe West. wider significance beyond N≠a Jaqna core struggles about rights situations whose modernity counts. court has also paved way conservancies other resource communities become involved dealing issues contesting multiple meanings