Examines the ways in which the livelihoods of resettled households have evolved over some 28 years in response to the opportunities created by access to additional, productive land. Looks both at livelihood trajectories and outcomes in the resettlement areas and at selected contrasts between the communities of origin and the new communities. Set in a context characterized by recurring drought, policy shifts, declining public sector support, long-term demographic shifts, and the rising toll of HIV and AIDS. Asks to what extent have the programme’s original welfare objectives-food security and the enhancement of rural livelihoods-been achieved. Draws both upon a wide body of empirical data from the author’s 26-year study of three resettlement areas and a set of largely unpublished materials.