for an investigation of this sort since it allows for the necessary detail in modelling the effects of stressors such as HIV/AIDS on social networks. Unlike conventional epidemiological models that operate on the level of whole populations and therefore concentrate on 'average' behaviour, agent-based models can take the actual behaviours of individuals into account. This is a prerequisite for investigating impacts on social networks and communities. Over the last few years, this has been recognized by the life science community concerned with modelling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, even though HIV/AIDS is a key concern, its impact in South Africa cannot be examined in isolation of other stressors, such as food insecurity, high climate variability, market fluctuations, and poor governance ( Ziervogel et al. 2005 ). In this paper, we present a model that captures socioeconomic stressors experienced by the villagers in the Sekhukhune district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The model has been driven by evidence made available, primarily, from our case study team at the Stockholm Environment Institute (Oxford) as well as secondary sources. The nature of this evidence is both quantitative and qualitative (based on the verbal accounts from stakeholders as well as semi-structured interviews). Moss and Edmonds ( 2005a ; 2005b ) have argued for models developed bottom-up, where the available evidence is not ignored for simplicity's sake. We believe a model's purpose in social simulation is to enhance, if possible, our understanding of the underlying problem. It can be helpful to the policy-makers and stakeholders in designing