Low-income Households In South Africa Research Articles

Factors influencing water conservation behaviour amongst low-income communities in South Africa

While economic incentives, technical developments, and government policies and regulations can all contribute to reduce residential water use, householders, on the other hand, can also help lessen overall water demands by using less water. In this study, we look at how to modify people's behaviour to conserve water at home. Using the theory of reasoned action which suggest human behaviour is a construct of subjective norms, and attitude, this study aimed to identify the factors that influences water conservation behaviour in low-income households in South Africa South Africa. The study focused on the Waterloo Township, which is located north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This study followed a positive paradigm and employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design and a quantitative survey design with a sample of (n=305). Both descriptive and inferential analysis was used to analyze and present the data. Path analysis using regression coefficient was performed to establish the factors that predict water conservation behaviour. The results suggest that although the knowledge of water conservation was high among the respondents, there was however a negative gap difference (-20.3) between their knowledge (94.4%) and actual behaviour (74.1%) towards water saving techniques. The regression analysis conducted revealed that subject norms were the strongest predictor towards water conservation intentions in the Waterloo LCH. This conclusively suggest that the conceptualisation of water conservation behaviour as a function of attitude and subjective norm may be appropriate in the context of the low-cost housing areas within South Africa.

Financial Literacy and Stokvels Savings of Low-Income Households in South Africa

Financial Literacy and Stokvels Savings of Low-Income Households in South Africa

The well-being of South African university students from low-income households

ABSTRACT The role of higher education in development and social mobility is now widely acknowledged and globally recognised. In South Africa in particular, graduates have greatly increased employment prospects. This paper takes up the importance of addressing South African university students’ multi-dimensional well-being in the light of global higher education development agendas. Considering poverty and development in the space of higher education – specifically in the lives of youth from low-income households in South Africa – I draw on two waves of life history data from undergraduate students at five universities. Material-cultural conditions for a threshold of well-being emerged powerfully in every single student narrative, indicating a need for some rethinking of capability deprivation and poverty. This paper conceptualises three broad hardship categories specific to higher education, considering the multiplicity of factors and complexity of low-income in student experiences and achievements. Even though the theoretical framing draws on Sen’s capability approach and its attractive moral perspective, the paper also foregrounds students’ material well-being as significant in understanding how education can advance change, and not only reproduce social inequalities. The challenge remains, how do we reconcile resources and capabilities, and to link freedoms to financial analysis in evaluating the lives that students value?

The energy transition patterns of low-income households in South Africa: An evaluation of energy programme and policy

The transition to modern energy carriers like electricity is an important way to achieve to eradicate energy poverty. This study investigated energy transition patterns and trends in low-income South African households. The marginal effects of the different determinants on the probability of choosing a specific energy carrier were computed and the influence of some endogenous characteristics in transitioning to modern energy carriers was explored. It was found that energy ladder behaviour exists for cooking while energy stacking was most likely for space heating and the pattern for lighting tended towards energy stacking. Dwelling type, household size and geographical location were among the key determinants of the energy transition pattern. Policies to reduce energy poverty need a multi-pronged approach and not only a focus on electricity access.

Design and performance evaluation of wood-burning cookstoves for low-income households in South Africa

Many cookstove programmes implemented around the world aimed to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions through the dissemination and adoption of improved cookstoves. A study was carried out for the design of wood-burning cookstoves for low-income households in South Africa by employing user-centred design and co-design/co-creation approaches. Six designed variants of the biomass stove were constructed. Water-heating and emissions tests, using black wattle wood, were conducted to evaluate them for thermal and emissions performance. The large hopper stove with two secondary air inlets ranked highest, with best performance regarding thermal and emissions parameters. It outperformed the small hopper stove in time to boil, heat flux and firepower, although the latter had higher thermal efficiency values. Fuel consumption rates were high in large hopper stoves compared with small hopper stoves, resulting in increased firepower. The experimental work showed the need for iterative designing and testing of cookstoves for emissions and thermal performance to identify efficient and less polluting candidate stoves for dissemination in low-income communities.

The energy transition patterns of low-income households in South Africa: An evaluation of energy programme and policy

The transition to modern energy carriers like electricity is an important way to achieve to eradicate energy poverty. This study investigated energy transition patterns and trends in low-income South African households. The marginal effects of the different determinants on the probability of choosing a specific energy carrier were computed and the influence of some endogenous characteristics in transitioning to modern energy carriers was explored. It was found that energy ladder behaviour exists for cooking while energy stacking was most likely for space heating and the pattern for lighting tended towards energy stacking. Dwelling type, household size and geographical location were among the key determinants of the energy transition pattern. Policies to reduce energy poverty need a multi-pronged approach and not only a focus on electricity access.

Coal-derived low smoke fuel assessment through coal stove combustion testing

A study was undertaken to investigate the production of low smoke fuel from coal currently used in low-income households in South Africa. Pyrolysis of large coal lumps was studied as a possible production method, and an optimum production temperature (550°C) was found to yield a viable alternative fuel. Combustion tests of the low smoke fuel in well instrumented coal stove experiments showed that the benefits thereof included: reductions of approximately 80%, 90% and 35% less particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and sulfur dioxide emissions, respectively, when compared to raw medium rank C bituminous coal. Further research is required to develop this low smoke fuel with the end goal of large-scale production and performance trials in low-income households, in collaboration with the end users, as well as industry.

Cookstove options for safety and health: Comparative analysis of technological and usability attributes

Energy use in low-income households in South Africa is considerably more hazardous than in middle to high-income households. Poverty is a key underlying factor. However, poor quality domestic energy technologies, including stoves, heaters and light sources contribute to this vulnerability. The problem is compounded by behavioural and environmental factors. Since cooking is a key energy-using chore, access to efficient, safe and versatile stoves portend safety improvements. This paper reports on a comparative analysis of eleven technological and usability attributes (CO emissions, firepower, efficiency, fuel toxicity, fuel cost, stove price, controllability, durability, availability, temperature of touchable-parts, and mechanical stability) of commercially available stoves that utilise four energy sources (kerosene, methanol, ethanol gel, and LPG). The ensuing discussion serves as a guide to enable the selection of the best-fit stove-fuel combination for low-income households. The findings indicate that LPG stoves have comparatively better overall rankings for cleanliness, firepower, safety, and durability. This analysis highlights that no combustion technology is risk-proof and there remains a burden on users to exercise diligence. We recommend that South Africa adopts an affirmative policy and strategic actions that discourage the use of kerosene as a household combustion fuel, and promotes the adoption of LPG as a safer and practical alternative.

Using formative research to develop a nutrition education resource aimed at assisting low-income households in South Africa adopt a healthier diet.

As part of a comprehensive programme to prevent non-communicable disease in South Africa, there is a need to develop public education campaigns on healthy eating. Urban populations of lower socioeconomic status are a priority target population. This study involved formative research to guide the development of a nutrition resource appropriate to the budgetary constraints and information needs of poor households in the major urban centres of South Africa. Twenty-two focus groups were convened to explore the target audience's knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices as they related to healthy eating and their views about the proposed nutrition resource (N = 167). A brief questionnaire assessed eating and cooking practices among focus group participants. Key informant interviews with eight dieticians/nutritionists working with this population added to the focus group findings. The research identified important issues to take into account in the development of the resource. These included the need to: directly address prevalent misconceptions about healthy eating and unhealthy eating practices; increase self-efficacy regarding the purchasing and preparation of healthy food; represent diverse cultural traditions and consider the issues of affordability and availability of food ingredients. This study demonstrates the value of using formative research in the design of nutrition-related communication in a multicultural, poor, urban South African setting.

Investigating the Marketing of Micro-insurance Products in South Africa

This study aimed to identify and investigate the marketing mix of the funeral Zimele-compliant micro-insurance product and its influence on business success of micro-insurance firms in South Afri ca. The influence of marketers' efforts to address the challenge of financial exclusion to the low-income households in South Africa with regards to microinsurance on business success were explored in the study. A convenience sample of 173 out of 200 employees completed the questionnaires at two biggest insurance companies namely; Old Mutual South Africa and Hollard Insurance, offering micro-insurance products and services in Port Elizabeth was used. The responses signified a satisfactory rate of 86.5%. The findings revealed the mean values for all independent variables generating business success unsatisfactory results (below 60%). The research is of value to insurers, micro- insurers, marketing managers, academics and researchers.

The lending practices of township micro-lenders and their impact on the low-income households in South Africa: A case study for Mamelodi township

Access to finance (cash/credit) is central to economic development and improving the living standards of people. Faced with uncertainty about future prospects, illiquid and irreversible nature of assets, the low-income households become vulnerable to unpredictable events like illness and death. Traditional requirements of formal collateral, asymmetric information and high transaction costs used by the formal financial institutions are barriers to the provision of credit. The low-income households therefore resort to township micro-lenders to access credit in order to bridge the effects of these events. The objective of this article is to assess the lending practices of the micro-lenders and their impact on the households and to determine effective measures that need to be taken to protect the households from such practices. The article adopts a case study approach based on micro lending in the Mamelodi township situated in the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Both random and snowball sampling were employed to conduct personal interviews with micro-lenders and households (borrowers). The findings reveal that these micro-lenders, though easily accessible, exploit the households and place them in emotional and financial distress (over-indebtedness). Based on the findings, this article recommends the development of social self-regulatory mechanisms to protect the households from exploitative practices of township micro-lenders.

Scaling up carbon finance through CDM Programmes of Activities: challenges for low-income household energy projects in South Africa

The experience with the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) so far has shown that there are significant challenges in making the mechanism work for energy projects in households. Programmes of Activities (PoA) have been hailed as a new opportunity to address these challenges by transcending the CDM's single-site approach. Applying insights from research on energy projects in low-income households in South Africa, this article suggests that the successful use of PoA in developing countries is contingent on establishing an appropriate institutional framework, building local capacity, increasing institutional learning around project development, and harmonising evolving carbon finance mechanism. The article demonstrates that the concept of PoA has opened up new opportunities for implementing CDM projects and scaling up mitigation, but that the approach is only effective when situated in a context where diverse stakeholders address the multi-faceted requirements for scaling up carbon mitigation, including among other things, establishing enabling policy frameworks, exploring additional funding options, and developing appropriate methodological approaches.

What contribution does the installation of solar water heaters make towards the alleviation of energy poverty in South Africa?

The South African government has publicized plans to install one million solar water heaters in households throughout South Africa by the year 2014, with the goals of reducing strain on existing electricity resources, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, creating employment and alleviating poverty. This paper examines two existing solar water heater installation projects with the aim of investigating the social contribution of the installation of solar water heaters in low-income households in South Africa. The Sustainable Urban Livelihoods approach (SULA) was adjusted to provide an analytical framework for the development of suitable indicators of social change in the context of renewable energies and energy poverty. Increases in household capital and the reduction of household vulnerability to shocks, stressors and seasonal variability as the result of solar water heater installation were investigated in projects in low-income housing developments in the cities of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.Data collected from paired household surveys (before and after installation) in over 600 households and qualitative information (Most Significant Change stories) show that the provision of a constant, cheap source of heated water contributed positively to the alleviation of energy poverty. Household capitals (categorised as Human, Social, Financial, Physical, Natural and Gender capital), including aspects such as health benefits and time and financial savings, were all positively effected by the installation of solar water heaters. In addition, improved energy security greatly reduced household vulnerability to shocks, stressors and seasonal variability. Comparison between the two projects revealed that the geographical setting (climatic conditions in particular), and the approach and strategies adopted by the implementers of the solar water heater installation project, greatly determine the extent to which benefits to the households are realised.

Nutrition education tools for primary school children in the Vaal region

South Africa's high prevalence of malnutrition severely affects children's well-being and ability to learn. According to the World Bank, malnutrition is found in households from all spheres of life, since caregivers are not well informed about healthy food choices and feeding practices. A long-term solution to the problem is to encourage people to grow food and improve their incomes, but a quicker solution is to provide health and nutrition education and services to encourage healthy food choices. This paper describes the development of nutrition education tools (NETs) as part of a nutrition education programme for primary school children (Grades 1 to 3) from low-income households in South Africa. The study used the Food and Agriculture Organization's framework for nutrition education to develop simple, cost-effective, appropriate and applicable NETs.

Household coal use in an urban township in South Africa

Coal is used as a domestic source of energy by low-income households in South Africa. Coal is an affordable fuel source and provides a dual utility – it warms the house and allows cooking to take place in the same appliance utilising only one fuel. Despite affordability and accessibility of the fuel, the use of coal results in extremely high levels of air pol-lution and concomitant respiratory diseases – an estimated $160 million per annum in South Africa. Access to electricity does not result in households switching away from coal since electricity and elec-trical appliances are regarded as unaffordable. This paper presents information collected during a base-line energy survey in an electrified urban township in South Africa, and outlines the way in which coal is used and purchased by poor households. An alternative fire lighting method, proven to reduce smoke and air pollution form coal fires has been demonstrated to households with promising results. An integrated approach, addressing energy efficient housing design, the supply of clean and efficient energy appliances together with the use of the alter-native fire lighting method, is recommended to address pollution from household coal use.

Use of grid electricity by rural households in South Africa

Almost half of rural households in South Africa had been connected to the grid by the end of 1999. This paper describes the utilisation of electricity by rural households in South Africa with reference to quantitative as well as qualitative information on energy use by electrified low-income households. The main findings are the following. Significant percentages of electrified households in rural areas own electrical appliances such as hotplates, kettles, irons, refrigerators, televisions and radios/hi-fis. Not all households that own electrical appliances use them on a regular basis. The reasons for acquiring appliances are of a complex nature – considerations such as usefulness and cost are only some of the factors that influence this, while the symbolic value of appliances is also of importance. While electric lighting is commonly used by electrified households, a significant percentage of electrified rural households continue to use other fuels, particularly candles, for lighting purposes. A significant percentage of electrified households also continue to use battery-operated radios. Furthermore, a significant percentage of rural households use electricity for cooking, although only higher income households are likely to use electricity as the sole fuel for cooking. The service of cooking with electricity is highly valued by many rural households, even if cooking is not done exclusively with electricity. Most electrified households in rural areas use three fuels in combination to meet their energy needs. It seems that electricity does not replace other fuels, but adds to the fuels used by rural households. Many low-income households in South Africa continue to use paraffin after electrification, particularly for cooking and water heating purposes. One of the factors that contributes to this is the view that paraffin is cheaper to use than electricity for these thermal purposes. Nevertheless, a range of factors contributes to the persistent use of paraffin.