Showing papers in "Development Southern Africa in 2014"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined factors influencing household food security among smallholder farmers in the Mudzi district of Zimbabwe using a structured questionnaire, and found that household dietary diversity is influenced by the age and education of the household head, household labour and size, livestock ownership, access to market information and remittances.
Abstract: This article examines factors influencing household food security among smallholder farmers in Mudzi district of Zimbabwe. Data for this study were collected from 120 randomly selected households, using a structured questionnaire. Analytical techniques employed included descriptive statistics of respondents' characteristics and linear regression analysis to identify factors influencing their household food security. The results show that household dietary diversity is influenced by the age and education of the household head, household labour and size, livestock ownership, access to market information and remittances. Linear regression on another indicator, the household food insecurity access score, shows that labour, education of the household head, household size, remittances, livestock ownership and access to market information all affect household food security. The study therefore recommends that government and other development agencies enhance food security among smallholders through promoting lab...
110 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that falling behind is a key determinant of school dropout, even after controlling for school quality and socio-economic status, and that those behind but attending higher quality schools are partially protected from dropping out.
Abstract: The release of the National Income Dynamics Study Wave 2 provides the first nationally representative longitudinal data collected in South Africa, making it possible to study transitions in and out of school, across grades and into work, in ways not previously possible. We illustrate the high levels of grade repetition evident in South African schools and show how school completion presents a significant hurdle with very few youth successfully matriculating. Exit from school does not offer any advantages as most youth find themselves idle once they have left school. Our regression analysis investigates correlates of school dropout and shows that falling behind is a key determinant of school dropout, even after controlling for school quality and socio-economic status. Those behind but attending higher quality schools are partially protected from dropping out. Some evidence that credit constraints may be related to dropout is found, especially among males.
71 citations
TL;DR: This article explored the relationship between urbanisation and living conditions in South Africa over the last decade and found that employment growth has tended to coincide with demographic trends, which is necessary to reduce poverty.
Abstract: Urbanisation is an important but contested process because of its far-reaching social, economic and environmental implications. The paper explores the relationship between urbanisation and living conditions in South Africa over the last decade. The central question addressed is whether population growth in the main cities has been accompanied by improved living standards, housing and public services. One finding is that employment growth has tended to coincide with demographic trends, which is necessary to reduce poverty. In addition, the provision of urban infrastructure has outstripped population growth, resulting in better access to essential services and reduced backlogs. In contrast, the provision of affordable housing has not kept pace with household growth, so more people than ever are living in shacks. A more comprehensive assessment is required before one can be sure that urbanisation is on a sustainable trajectory.
71 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), namely: pro-activeness, risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness, to predict 72% of the variance explained in SME performance.
Abstract: The removal of trade barriers has encouraged the entry of new competitors into formerly protected markets. This situation creates pressure on many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies such as Tanzania. Using a survey method and cross-sectional research design, the research examines three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), namely: pro-activeness, risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness. Understanding their relationships and variance may help to improve our ability to explain SME performance. The findings contribute to how SME performance in emerging economies can be enhanced to enable SMEs to face challenges posed by competitor influx in the context of an open market economy. The findings indicate a strong relationship between EO dimensions and performance, with risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness moderating the effect of pro-activeness. The proposed model could predict 72% of the variance explained in SME performance.
51 citations
TL;DR: The authors discusses some of the key challenges of rural tourism development, especially related to the integration of the tourism industry and rural communities in developing countries, and overviews the applicability and conditions of the integrated rural tourism (IRT) framework as a potential approach for rural tourism.
Abstract: In the past few decades, rural areas have experienced major socioeconomic changes. Due to modernisation and deepening globalisation, the economic and employment potential of many traditional livelihoods has decreased. Currently tourism is increasingly seen as a relevant tool for addressing rural problems in developing countries and tourism is actively used for economic diversification and opening up new ways to generate income and employment. However, many development models, such as integrated rural tourism (IRT) with emphasis on co-planning, learning and participation, originate from the Global North. This calls for careful considerations when such models are applied to the Global South's rural contexts. This research note discusses some of the key challenges of rural tourism development, especially related to the integration of the tourism industry and rural communities in developing countries, and overviews the applicability and conditions of the IRT framework as a potential approach for rural tourism...
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the technical efficiency of 231 local municipalities in South Africa for 2007 and investigate the potential determinants of efficiency gaps using the nonparametric data envelopment analysis technique.
Abstract: This paper assesses the technical efficiency of 231 local municipalities in South Africa for 2007 and investigates the potential determinants of efficiency gaps using the non-parametric data envelopment analysis technique Efficiency scores are explained in a second-stage regression model using a Tobit regression model To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt, using such a technique, to assess technical efficiency at the local government level in the African context The results show that, on average, B1 and B3 municipalities could have theoretically achieved the same level of basic services with about 16% and 80% fewer resources respectively Furthermore, fiscal autonomy and the number and skill levels of the top management of a municipality's administration were found to influence the productive efficiency of municipalities in South Africa Perhaps most importantly, the results depict a bleak picture of the democratic behaviour at the local level in South Africa It appears that higher i
42 citations
TL;DR: This paper showed that despite measurement issues, there is consensus that inequality is very high and has been rising over much of the post-transition period, and that within-group inequality has become the dominant form of inequality.
Abstract: This paper demonstrates that poverty and inequality trends can diverge. It then discusses inequality trends and shows that, despite measurement issues, there is consensus that inequality is very high and has been rising over much of the post-transition period. Due to rising inequality within all groups, and particularly the black population, and lower inequality between race groups, within-group inequality has become the dominant form of inequality. That does not, however, detract from the fact that inequality between groups is still very large. High income inequality largely stems from inequality in access to wage income, due more to wage inequality than to unemployment. A Gini coefficient for wage income amongst the employed of above 0.60 effectively sets a floor to overall income inequality. The high wage premium to educated workers derives from a combination of a skills shortage at the top end of the educational spectrum, driving up their wages, and a surfeit of poorly-educated workers competing for s...
38 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated both the correlates and root causes of moving up and down the income distribution over time using both absolute and relative changes as reference points, highlighting some of the factors associated with South Africans moving into and out of poverty.
Abstract: The study of income inequality and income mobility has been central to understanding post-apartheid South Africa's development. This paper uses the first two waves of the National Income Dynamics Study to analyse income mobility using longitudinal data, and is the first to do so at a nationally representative level. We investigate both the correlates and root causes of moving up and down the income distribution over time. Using both absolute and relative changes as reference points, we highlight some of the factors associated with South Africans moving into and out of poverty.
26 citations
TL;DR: Evidence of a socio-economic gradient in mortality is found, with higher rates of mortality for individuals from asset-poor households and with lower levels of education, and an association that remains after controlling for socio- economic status and several other subjective and objective measures of health.
Abstract: This paper exploits the first two waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) to describe the socio-economic profile of mortality and to assess whether self-rated health status is predictive of mortality between waves. Mortality rates in NIDS are in line with estimates from official death notification data and display the expected hump of excess mortality in early and middle adulthood due to AIDS, with the excess peaking earlier for women than for men. We find evidence of a socio-economic gradient in mortality, with higher rates of mortality for individuals from asset-poor households and with lower levels of education. Consistent with evidence from many industrialised countries and a few developing countries, we find self-rated health to be a significant predictor of two-year mortality, an association that remains after controlling for socio-economic status and several other subjective and objective measures of health.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors trace the origins of the green economy concept, provide the context for its current traction globally, and then introduce three emerging agendas around green economy: "the incrementalist discourse", "the reformist discourse" and "the transformative discourse".
Abstract: The green economy concept promises to provide a concrete roadmap to the implementation of sustainable development while delivering significant social and economic benefits and reduced environmental risks. However, the concept of a green economy is still being debated and the emerging discourse has yet to be fully interpreted within the industrial, institutional and socio-economic realities of many countries, including particularly emerging and developing nations. This paper traces the origins of the concept, providing the context for its current traction globally, and then introduces three emerging agendas around the green economy: ‘the incrementalist discourse’, ‘the reformist discourse’ and ‘the transformative discourse’. The paper ends with a discussion of the application of key themes within these discourses in the context of southern Africa and considerations as the green economic debate evolves.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, six examples of social security policy options are considered, including five grants ranging from an unconditional non-means-tested grant for young people to a conditional grant for learners in training or education, plus an "Opportunities voucher" that is administered through the social security system but paid out to organisations offering youth education or work opportunities.
Abstract: South African youth experience extremely high levels of unemployment and poverty. Currently there is no social assistance for low-income young adults in South Africa unless they are disabled. Interventions are needed that can achieve widespread poverty alleviation, as well as help facilitate economic participation to improve lifelong earnings. In this article, six examples of social security policy options are considered, including five grants ranging from an unconditional non-means-tested grant for young people to a conditional grant for young people in training or education, plus an ‘Opportunities voucher’ that is administered through the social security system but paid out to organisations offering youth education or work opportunities. Using a tax and benefit microsimulation model to simulate the five grants, we estimate the potential numbers reached and cost, as well as the impact of these six options on poverty.
TL;DR: In this article, a comparative analysis of intra-regional breakdown of trade is performed based on the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa classification of countries according to geographical region, where the authors find that despite the high level of regional integration within Africa, it does not necessarily stimulate intra-Africa trade to expected levels as proposed by literature.
Abstract: Regional integration arrangements have mushroomed worldwide, both on intra-regional and extra-regional levels. On an intra-regional level, Africa faces a complicated grid of multiple and overlapping membership of several regional integration organisations, aiming to increase intra-regional trade and cooperation. In this study, a comparative analysis will be executed, based on an intra-regional breakdown of trade, using the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa classification of countries according to geographical region. The level of intra-regional trade will be determined, whereafter the level of inter-regional trade will be established and, lastly, trade with the rest of the world. It seems that despite the high level of regional integration within Africa, it does not necessarily stimulate intra-Africa trade to expected levels as proposed by literature. A regional integration strategy that would cause deeper integration is crucial if the continent is to play a rightful role in the global arena.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the impact of South Africa's long-term economic growth on household poverty and inequality between 1995 and 2005 and find a decline in aggregate levels of poverty, but increasing levels of inequality.
Abstract: This study evaluates the impact of South Africa's long-term economic growth on household poverty and inequality between 1995 and 2005. We find a decline in aggregate levels of poverty, but increasing levels of inequality. The evidence suggests that the growth model provides substantial redistributive income support to the poor through the social grant programme, whilst offering few returns to those in the middle of the distribution.
TL;DR: This article examined the role of labour unions in explaining intra-racial income inequality among African men in South Africa and found that unions have both compressionary and disequalising effects on wages.
Abstract: One Achilles' heel of post-Apartheid South Africa is the growing intra-racial income inequality, particularly among Africans. This paper examines the role of labour unions in explaining this phenomenon among African men given that labour markets are at the core of income inequality in South Africa. Using cross-sectional data drawn from Labour Force Surveys for 2001–10, we find a monotonically declining union wage premium. Further, our results indicate that unions have both compressionary and disequalising effects on wages. The disequalising effect dominates the compressionary effect, suggesting that unions have a net effect of increasing wage inequality among African men in South Africa. This finding implies that there is scope for unions to reduce inequality through initiatives that promote wage compression.
TL;DR: In this paper, an augmented gravity model was used to examine trade facilitation factors that impact on South Africa's exports to other selected African countries, finding that an improvement in the customs environment within the importing country provides the largest gain in terms of increasing trade flows.
Abstract: Economic growth can be enhanced through increased trade among countries, provided the correct institutional structures are in place. A country's trade is dependent not only on its own trade facilitation reforms but also on those of the trading partners. This paper, using an augmented gravity model, examines trade facilitation factors that impact on South Africa's exports to other selected African countries. The results of the estimation reveal the following. An improvement in the customs environment within the importing country provides the largest gain in terms of increasing trade flows, followed by the regulatory environment and domestic infrastructure. Furthermore, adjacency and common language impact positively on South African exports, while distance between countries impacts negatively on it. Being part of the Southern African Development Community is also enhancing exports from South Africa, compared with being part of the East African Community.
TL;DR: This article used the 2008 National Income Dynamics Study to assess the magnitude of inequalities in under-five child malnutrition ascribable to economic status and found that pro-poor improvements in child welfare have been little improvement since South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994.
Abstract: Despite the emphasis given to poverty reduction in policy statements and a substantial increase in social spending, money-metric poverty has shown little improvement since South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994. Alternative approaches to measuring well-being and inequality may show a more positive trend. This article uses the 2008 National Income Dynamics Study to assess the magnitude of inequalities in under-five child malnutrition ascribable to economic status. The article compares these results with those of Zere and McIntyre, who analysed similar data collected in 1993. In both cases, household income, proxied by per-capita household expenditure, was used as the indicator of socio-economic status. Children's heights and weights have increased since 1993 and being stunted or underweight has become less common. Furthermore, pro-rich inequalities in stunting and being underweight have significantly declined since the end of apartheid. This suggests that pro-poor improvements in child welfare have...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the micro and meso-level factors defining farm household's capacity and incentives to participate in non-farm employment in the post-war Rwanda, and found that female-headedness, labour availability, education, social networks, access to finance and rural towns increase the probability of participating in RNF activities, whereas for participating households, the time allocated to RNF activity tends to decrease with age, land productivity, distance to market and dispersed settlements.
Abstract: Despite the post-war government's unprecedented efforts to stimulate growth of the rural non-farm (RNF) sector in Rwanda, evidence suggests that participation in this sector remains low compared with other developing and transition economies. This study investigates the micro and meso-level factors defining farm household's capacity and incentives to participate in RNF employment in the post-war Rwanda. Based on the household's time allocation theory, this study employs household survey data collected in Gisagara District in a double-hurdle regression. The results reveal that female-headedness, labour availability, education, social networks, access to finance and rural towns increase the probability of participating in RNF activities, whereas for participating households, the time allocated to RNF activities tends to decrease with age, land productivity, distance to market and dispersed settlements. The article concludes with key implications for rural development policies such as basic education and umu...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a methodology that is increasingly being adopted in international development, namely systematic review, starting from the premise that rigorous and structured systematic reviews of research evidence have the potential to "change the world" by providing accurate comprehensive summaries of knowledge for decision-makers.
Abstract: This paper presents a methodology that is increasingly being adopted in international development, namely systematic review. It starts from the premise that rigorous and structured systematic reviews of research evidence have the potential to ‘change the world’ by providing accurate comprehensive summaries of knowledge for decision-makers, and goes on to outline the key processes involved in conducting these reviews. It outlines the methodology in terms of the key research stages of: establishing your review question, collecting data, analysis, reflecting on the strengths of your methods, and drawing conclusions. In doing so, it lays down a challenge to development researchers, to engage with the approach and improve the rigour of our literature reviews.
TL;DR: In this article, a study conducted in Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela, two prominent, platinum-rich traditional communities in South Africa's North West Province, reveals that inadequate participation produces polarised local priorities and tensions at the grassroots level.
Abstract: Direct control of mineral resource wealth by communities in resource-endowed regions is advocated as a panacea to conflict and fundamental towards attainment of self-determination and local autonomy. Based on the study conducted in Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela, the two prominent, platinum-rich traditional communities in South Africa's North West Province, this article reveals that, although mineral wealth in South Africa's platinum-endowed communities such as Royal Bafokeng is reportedly distributed ‘in the name of morafe’ (‘community’ in Setswana), inadequate participation produces polarised local priorities and tensions at the grassroots level. Community control of mineral wealth is thus likely to paradoxically generate conflict and exclusion at the traditional community level, particularly in contexts where participation in mineral wealth-engendered community development is championed by traditional leaders through customary-derived spaces of local engagement.
TL;DR: In this article, a system dynamics approach that captures and represents the dynamic behaviour of transforming the power sector with a green economy framework was used to investigate whether current policies and strategies can improve economic growth, while at the same time reducing the impact on the environment and providing more employment.
Abstract: Modelling approaches are utilised to understand complex and dynamic issues, which are characteristic of the South Africa power sector, especially since the sector has been at the centre of green economy debates. This paper thus draws on a system dynamics approach that captures and represents the dynamic behaviour of transforming the power sector with a green economy framework. This was done utilising the South Africa Green Economy Model and investigating whether current policies and strategies can improve economic growth, while at the same time reducing the impact on the environment and providing more employment. In general, the paper shows that green economy investments in the power sector provide opportunities for achieving the diversification of the energy mix, job creation, as well as CO2eq emissions reduction. However, more aggressive investments are necessary if all of the targets, as laid out in the National Development Plan, are to be achieved.
TL;DR: This article examined the significance of public expenditure management for primary education outcomes in public schools in two South African provinces (Gauteng and North West) using cross-sectional data from 175 public primary schools and 13 local education offices, and found that while misappropriation of education funds (leakages) is not strongly associated with poor education outcomes, delays on the part of the government in disbursing funds to schools are correlated with Grade 5 dropout rates.
Abstract: This paper examines the significance of public expenditure management for primary education outcomes in public schools in two South African provinces (Gauteng and North West). Using cross-sectional data from 175 public primary schools and 13 local education offices, the analysis finds that while misappropriation of education funds (leakages) is not strongly associated with poor education outcomes, delays on the part of the government in disbursing funds to schools are correlated with Grade 5 dropout rates. The paper finds no evidence that public expenditure and total resource wealth (including public and private contributions) are significantly associated with education outcomes. Increased spending on learning and teaching support materials is associated strongly with lower Grade 1 and Grade 7 repetition rates. The paper also finds that repetition rates are driven strongly by poverty indicators at the district level, while dropout rates are driven strongly by district and school inefficiency.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the negative impact of previous distortions requires much more than a levelling of the playing field via market-based reforms, and that pro-employment policies have to be placed at the centre of the policy agenda.
Abstract: ‘Employment intensive growth’ has become a centrepiece of government policy and implies that at any given level of growth, the economy needs to become more labour absorbing. State intervention (or the lack of it) is examined in two areas that are important for employment – agriculture and manufacturing. In the case of agriculture, it is argued that declining and ineffective state support has accelerated the rationalisation of commercial agriculture and failed to regenerate agriculture in the former Bantustans. With regard to the manufacturing sector, we argue that since 1994 the government has set a multiplicity of objectives but, de facto, there has been a surprising level of continuity in the overly generous assistance for heavy, capital-intensive industry. This paper argues that the negative impact of previous ‘distortions’ requires much more than a levelling of the playing field via market-based reforms. Pro-employment policies have to be placed at the centre of the policy agenda.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the implementation of the Emergency Housing Programme (EHP) is problematic prioritisation, rather than simply one of poor provision, and argue that EHP serves as a prism for urban contest and advocate for more strategic, holistic, and p...
Abstract: The Emergency Housing Programme (EHP) is an important subsidy tool in South Africa. The EHP was designed to realise the right to housing and ensure that municipalities rapidly respond to emergency housing situations. However, the programme's implementation has been harshly critiqued by activists, academics, and even other state departments, for a range of valid reasons. This paper explores the findings of a year-long research project consisting mainly of case studies, interviews, workshops and policy review aimed at understanding these criticisms. The research found that the EHP implementers are constrained by conflicted urban development imperatives that include: systemic housing demand, building investment-friendly and efficient cities, and other developmental programmes. This paper argues for a reading of the implementation of EHP as problematic prioritisation, rather than simply one of poor provision. In this way, EHP serves as a prism for urban contest and advocate for more strategic, holistic, and p...
TL;DR: In this article, subjective well-being was used as a measure of comparison between labour-market statuses and found that the non-searching unemployed are significantly worse off than the not economically active.
Abstract: Access to new nationally representative, individual-level panel data from South Africa has allowed for the revalidation of Kingdon and Knight's discussion on the definition of unemployment. This paper investigates subjective well-being as a measure of comparison between labour-market statuses. It finds that on the grounds of subjective well-being the non-searching unemployed (or ‘discouraged’) are significantly worse-off than the not economically active. Moreover, evidence suggests that, with regard to the relationship between life satisfaction and labour-market status, the non-searching unemployed consistently are the worst-off. This is especially true of both the young and senior non-searching unemployed; however, the findings are largely driven by the African subsample. This paper does not advocate for a change in the official definition of unemployment but does advocate for the inclusion and recognition of the non-searching unemployed in policy relating to labour and development in South Africa.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an overview of the attractiveness of the global concentrating solar power (CSP) industry, analyze South Africa's current capabilities in developing a CSP manufacturing capacity, and then make recommendations regarding policy measures and an associated industry roadmap for developing a competitive CSP industry in South Africa.
Abstract: The paper provides an overview of the attractiveness of the global concentrating solar power (CSP) industry, analyses South Africa's current capabilities in developing a CSP manufacturing capacity, and then makes recommendations regarding policy measures and an associated industry roadmap for developing a competitive CSP industry in South Africa. The analyses highlight that cost reduction is currently the most important stumbling block for the large-scale rollout of CSP. From a supply, or technology-push, perspective, changes such as cost-effective production methods, improved products through directed research and development, and reductions in operating and installation costs could be implemented. From a demand, or technology-pull, perspective, more ambitious targets need to be incorporated into the current South African policies with reliable support schemes to ensure long-term investment security for CSP systems. Recommendations are made accordingly. Specifically, South Africa should continue to promo...
TL;DR: The authors explored subjective measures of well-being in South Africa collected in the first two waves of the National Income Dynamics Study, including individual life satisfaction, current self-assessed economic rank and expected economic rank in the future.
Abstract: This study explores subjective measures of well-being in South Africa collected in the first two waves of the National Income Dynamics Study. These subjective measures include individual life satisfaction, current self-assessed economic rank and expected economic rank in the future. The paper describes how the distributions of these measures have changed over the course of the panel and it investigates the relationship between life satisfaction and perceived economic rank in a multivariate context, controlling for individual fixed effects. The panel data suggest a leftward shift in the distribution of life satisfaction over the two waves. Moreover, the majority of adults did not perceive their economic rank as having improved and they reported lower expectations of future upward economic mobility. Perceptions of current and future economic rank are key correlates of life satisfaction, findings that remain robust to controls for unobserved individual heterogeneity.
TL;DR: This paper found that women had more mobility than men into and out of the labour market and employment and that women were less mobile between kinds of employment and across occupations, while men were more mobile across occupations.
Abstract: There is little empirical work in South Africa using panel data to describe employment and earnings dynamics. This paper contributes by describing labour-market transitions in South Africa between 2008 and 2010 for individuals aged 20 to 55 across two waves of nationally representative panel data. We find that women had more mobility than men into and out of the labour market and employment. However, women were less mobile between kinds of employment and across occupations. Casual employment was very unstable, with very few individuals remaining in this state. In contrast, there was little mobility out of regular employment into other kinds of employment. Average real earnings changes were positive for movements into regular employment and negative for movements into self-employment or casual employment. Strong movement out of semi-skilled occupations was striking, especially for males. In multivariate models, being the mother of young children was important in leaving regular employment.
TL;DR: The authors examined the determinants of spatial mobility of working-age adults in South Africa, using the first nationally representative longitudinal survey, the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), for 2008-10.
Abstract: Migration, important for many areas in development, is strongly related to employment. Debate over labour supply in developing countries frequently hinges on labour migration. This paper examines the determinants of spatial mobility of working-age adults in South Africa, using the first nationally representative longitudinal survey – the National Income Dynamics Study – for 2008–10. The paper outlines the unique advantages of these data for the study of individual mobility – data that open the possibility of a new research project. Specifically, it asks how policy-relevant programmes, such as social transfers and housing assistance, affect migration. This paper finds, on balance, that transfers are negatively correlated with subsequent relocation. Previous migration is also predictive of future migration and both are tightly related to attrition, while there is an increasing but strongly non-linear relationship between income and mobility. Further, we highlight potential pitfalls – including attrition, an...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extent of short-term residential and household compositional change in South Africa using longitudinal data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIS) and found that 10.5% of South Africans moved residence and 61.3% experienced change in household composition.
Abstract: We use longitudinal data from the National Income Dynamics Study to document the extent of recent short-term residential and household compositional change in South Africa. We analyse the demographic correlates of these transitions, including population group, age, urban/rural status, and income. We examine educational and labour-market transitions among movers and the prevalence of the four major types of compositional change – births, addition of joiners, deaths, and loss of leavers. We find that short-term household change is prevalent in South Africa. During a two-year period from 2008 to 2010, 10.5% of South Africans moved residence and 61.3% experienced change in household composition. We find that moving is more common among blacks and whites, very young children, young adults, urban individuals, and those with higher incomes. Among non-movers, compositional change is more likely for blacks and coloureds, young adults and children, females, urban individuals, and individuals with lower incomes.
TL;DR: In this paper, living conditions, livelihoods and prospects of farmworkers with regard to land reform legislation are explored, and the main barriers in the empowerment of workers are limited insights regarding complex social relationships on farms, the challenge to address the specificity of power relations, and their marginalised position of farm workers and their lack of agency in the broader political system.
Abstract: This article explores living conditions, livelihoods and prospects of farmworkers with regard to land reform legislation. Research was conducted from 2004 to 2010 on four farms in the North West Province, interviewing farmworkers and farm owners. Representatives of the agricultural union Agri North West and land analysts were interviewed to obtain their perspective on farm labour. Despite protective legislation, farmworkers' living and working conditions have deteriorated. Farmworkers further lack alternative livelihood options, perpetuating their dependency on farm owners, who are the only ones providing services and some social security. Among the main barriers in the empowerment of farmworkers are limited insights regarding complex social relationships on farms, the challenge to address the specificity of power relations, and the marginalised position of farmworkers and their lack of agency in the broader political system. Both farmworkers and farm owners need support structures and strengthened instit...