South African Households Research Articles

Demand for Mobile Broadband Use by South African Households: Does Gender Matter

Gender equality is crucial to a thriving, contemporary economy that will ultimately benefit everyone in addition to being a fundamental human right. The emergence of the digital era has created new opportunities for the economic empowerment of women and has the potential to advance the cause of gender equality. Internet, digital platforms, mobile phones, and digital financial services may empower women to earn more money, expand their employment alternatives, and gain access to general information and expertise. They will be able to advance past men because they will have access to these opportunities. The goal of the study was to ascertain how gender affected South African household demand for mobile broadband. The findings show that the demand for mobile broadband among South African households is significantly influenced by gender. The data shows that compared to being female, being male increases the probability of needing mobile broadband service. The fact that males had 1.812 times more likelihood than females to pursue mobile broadband may be due to gender-based disparities in the availability of income. In order to increase women's levels of productivity, economic security, and overall quality of life, the study's findings recommend that the government implement programmes to promote their use of mobile broadband. Affordability, a lack of education and skills, and technological literacy should also be at the centre of policy objectives designed to increase women's desire for internet access.

The 2019 carbon tax in South Africa: Effects on relative cost of building materials, welfare, emissions, and energy consumption for households

The introduction of the carbon tax by South Africa was primarily aimed at reducing pollution, and possibly improving the welfare of South African households. One of the ways of reducing pollution in the construction industry is to discourage the use of building materials that are high carbon emitters or have high energy intensities. This article used the Input-Output (IO) method and sensitivity analysis to study the effects of carbon tax on welfare distribution of South African households, using the 2014-2015 Living Conditions Survey (LCS). The study also set out to determine the relative sensitivity of price changes of some building materials after application of the 2019 carbon tax. Results showed that non-ferrous, ferrous, and prefabricated-based building materials had higher relative price sensitivities to carbon tax compared to other materials that were predominantly based on glass, cement, and treated metals. Increases in carbon tax may not discourage usage of relatively higher emissions-intensity materials like cement compared to wood. Operational building costs were dominated by electricity costs, with the burden being highest for lower income households. Any revenue-recycling efforts of the 2019 carbon tax for welfare purposes were marginal. However, the tax can be used to subsidize energy for lower income households.

The Relationship between Electricity Prices and Household Welfare in South Africa

The study examines the relationship between electricity prices and household welfare in South Africa. The study employs a demand system framework on annual time-series data from 2000 to 2018 and the analysis involves the calculation of price elasticities and measurement of welfare changes. The price elasticities in this study are drawn from the linear expenditure demand model. To analyse welfare change, we consider the impact of electricity pricing policies on cost of living (proxied by the consumer price index and households’ expenditure patterns). The study achieves this: (i) by comparing electricity price movements to changes in the rate of inflation between 2000 and 2018; (ii) by regressing total household energy expenditure against household expenditure on electricity, to examine how electricity costs affect a household’s overall energy bills; and (iii) thirdly, by regressing household food expenditure against households’ electricity expenditure to determine how the latter affects a household’s ability to spend on other basic goods and services. The results of the study show: (i) South African household electricity demand is inelastic to changes in price of electricity; (ii) electricity prices in the country increased at a higher rate than the rate of inflation for most of the time during the study period, suggesting that households incurred increased expenditures to achieve their desired utility or satisfy their energy needs during this period; (iii) household total electricity expenditure is positively related to household total energy expenditure, implying that high household expenditure on electricity exerts upward pressure on the overall household energy budgets; and (iv) household total food expenditure is negatively related to household total energy expenditure. This shows that while policy makers achieved significant success with providing physical access to electricity, affordable access to this basic service is still a concern and affects the overall welfare of households in the country. The study recommends a review of the country’s electricity tariff structure to make affordability a key objective. Moreover, the study calls for coordinated efforts in addressing Eskom challenges which have also played a contributing role to the current energy crisis, characterized by an unreliable electricity supply and constantly increasing electricity prices.

FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY, HUNGER, AND POVERTY: THE CONTENT AND CONTEXT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHT OF ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT FOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA

Poverty, lack of access to food, low income, hunger, unemployment and malnutrition are all interrelated because they undermine fundamental human rights and are a blatant affront to human dignity and section 27 of the South African Constitution. These factors have a direct impact on the realisation of the right to have access to sufficient food and poverty alleviation. Against this backdrop, this article examines major causes of food insecurity in South African rural households. Using an in-depth analysis of literature, previous studies, government reports, and policies aimed at poverty alleviation, this article examines some of the various poverty-alleviation strategies that the government has adopted in promoting rural food security. In this instance, the importance of social grants and land-based livelihood strategies – specifically subsistence farming – are analysed to determine the extent to which these strategies promote household food security and combat poverty and hunger in rural households.

The relationship between education and vulnerability to poverty in South Africa

This study examines the relationship between education and poverty vulnerability in South Africa by using the disaggregated approach. The study uses the National Income Dynamics Study dataset captured from 2008 to 2017 of a balanced panel consisting of 10,800 South African households. We applied batteries of econometric techniques. The results reveal a significant negative relationship between education and vulnerability to poverty especially to those whose future consumption lies below the food poverty line. Therefore, policymakers should use education as a tool to reduce poverty vulnerability by increasing its quality so that students can compete fairly in the global labor market.

Does Social Investment Influence Poverty and Economic Growth in South Africa: A Cointegration Analysis?

Despite having a middle-income status, many South African households are either already in or are about to fall into poverty. The income and wealth distribution in South Africa is among the most uneven in the world, and many households lack even the most basic access to healthcare, clean energy, and clean water. Although it has increased government spending, South Africa’s government has made significant steps to combat poverty and inequality and encourage economic growth. Understanding the connection between social investment, poverty, inequality, and economic growth is, therefore, necessary to comprehend the ambiguity that currently prevails. In order to analyze the effects of social investment on poverty and economic growth in South Africa between 1990 and 2020, this paper uses the cointegration technique. The cointegration estimates indicate that there is no correlation between social investment, poverty, inequality, and economic development. According to study findings, South Africa’s macroeconomic policies, which seem to be more urban-focused, need to be modified and redirected into inclusive policies with strict constraints to assure their implementation. The transformation of rural and township life will be aided by this plan.

Childhood stunting and subsequent educational outcomes: a marginal structural model analysis from a South African longitudinal study.

To examine the association between childhood stunting and grade completion (as educational outcome) in South Africa. Longitudinal study. Data were obtained using the National Income Dynamics Study over five waves (2008 to 2017). Children were tracked at wave 1 in 2008 until wave 5 in 2017 to determine their total years of schooling. We controlled for time-variant and time-varying confounding with a marginal structural model to estimate the associations between childhood stunting and subsequent grade completion. Nationally representative study of South African households. A total of 2629 children aged 2 and 3 years in 2008. We observed a substantial decrease in the prevalence of stunting between wave 1 (28·2 %) and wave 4 (8·6 %). Our marginal structural model results suggest that childhood stunting was significantly associated with decreased odds (22 % less likely) of grade completion (OR = 0·78; 95 % CI: 0·40, 0·86; P = 0·015), while those who were only stunted during early childhood had a 29 % reduction in the odds of grade completion (OR = 0·71; 95 % CI: 0·51, 0·82; P = 0·020). These findings underscore the fact that stunting is a significant predictor of academic achievement, whose effects might be long-lasting.

Effect of different front-of-package food labels on identification of unhealthy products and intention to purchase the products– A randomised controlled trial in South Africa

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different labels on participants identifying products high in nutrients of concern; identifying unhealthy products, and intention to purchase unhealthy products. This blinded randomised controlled trial included a representative sample of South African households (n = 1951). Per household we selected a member primarily responsible for food purchases. Participants were randomised into the Warning Label (WL), Guideline Dietary Amounts (GDA) or Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) arms. Each participant answered questions in a no label condition (control) followed by same questions in the label condition (experiment). Complete data were collected and analysed for 1948 participants (WL = 33.7%, GDA = 32.1% and MTL = 34.2%). The probability of correctly identifying products high in nutrients of concern and identifying products as being unhealthy was higher with the WL compared to the GDA or MTL for most items. There was no difference in performance between the GDA and the MTL when considering all items together. A higher percentage of participants reported a lower intention to purchase an unhealthy product after exposure to the WL compared to MTL for 5 out of 6 products; 2 out of 6 products for the WL compared to GDA and 2 out of 6 products for GDA compared to MTL. Compared to the control condition, exposure to each of the labels resulted in better identification of nutrients of concern, unhealthy products and a lower intention to purchase when considering all specific outcome items together. The WL showed a higher potential to enable South African consumers to identify products high in nutrients of concern, identify unhealthy products and discourage purchasing of unhealthy products.

Socioeconomic-Related Inequalities in COVID-19 Vulnerability in South Africa.

Individuals’ vulnerability to the risk of COVID-19 infection varies due to their health, socioeconomic, and living circumstances, which also affect the effectiveness of implementing non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs). In this study, we analysed socioeconomic-related inequalities in COVID-19 vulnerability using data from the nationally representative South African General Household Survey 2019. We developed a COVID-19 vulnerability index, which includes health and social risk factors for COVID-19 exposure and susceptibility. The concentration curve and concentration index were used to measure socioeconomic-related inequalities in COVID-19 vulnerability. Recentred influence function regression was then utilised to decompose factors that explain the socioeconomic-related inequalities in COVID-19 vulnerability. The concentration index estimates were all negative and highly significant (p < 0.01), indicating that vulnerability to COVID-19 was more concentrated among the poor. According to the decomposition analysis, higher income and education significantly (p < 0.01) positively impacted lowering socioeconomic-related COVID-19 vulnerability. Living in an urban region, being Black, and old all had significant (p < 0.01) positive impacts on increasing socioeconomic-related COVID-19 vulnerability. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of socially defined COVID-19-vulnerable populations in South Africa and the implications for future pandemic preparedness plans.

A data-driven household electricity synthesiser for South Africa using enveloped sum of Gaussians

Accurate modelling of household electricity on a large scale is a cornerstone for demand management and decarbonisation efforts. This paper introduces a data-driven model for South African households. According to the Paris Agreement, a 50 % reduction in global CO2 emissions is required to ensure the global average temperature does not surpass 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. In this context, 26 % of the overall European energy consumption is used by the residential sector and the global energy consumption is estimated to increase by 1.3 % on average per year until 2050. In the last decade, the development and implementation of smart grid technologies have grown to efficiently and cost-effectively meet the electricity demands of the grid and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. We present a data-driven, enveloped sum of Gaussians-based model and residential household synthesiser that statistically models the household's electricity usage demand based on smart meter data and generates synthetic data that accurately represents the actual demand profile, load peaks, and daily variances for an individual or aggregate group of households. The measured data was gathered over a one year period for 1200 households in South Africa. Our model accounts for temporal variations such as seasonality and the day of week, household uniqueness, and is fully autonomous. Our results show that the root mean square error between the aggregated measured and synthetic electricity profiles is 0.181 A (5.68 %) and the total energy of each profile is 75.9 and 76.3 A·h, respectively.

Transition and persistence in the double burden of malnutrition and overweight or obesity: Evidence from South Africa

This paper analyzes transition and persistence patterns of the Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM) and overweight or obesity (OVOB) using South African household data spanning over 2008–2017. To test whether the DBM (the coexistence of at least one overweight or obese and one underweight individual in a household) is either a transitory or a persistent phenomenon, we use a dynamic random-effects probit model with unobserved heterogeneity. Our findings suggest that DBM is a transitory phenomenon as most double burden households over one survey period do not remain so in the subsequent waves. OVOB households remain so, implying persistence at the household level. We observe that the persistence of OVOB at the household level is mainly driven by persistence at the individual level. On the other hand, we find that the individual level rationale for the transitory status of the DBM is that underweight does not persist over time as underweight individuals do not remain so for extended periods. These widespread nutritional issues require appropriate measures such as double-duty actions.

Household vulnerability to climate change in South Africa: A multilevel regression model

ABSTRACT This study measures the vulnerability of households to food insecurity by measuring the risk or threat posed by climate change. This is conducted using multilevel or hierarchal regression, an extension of the “Three Stage Least Squares” model. Unlike the standard ordinary least squares regression model, this model can produce estimates of different hierarchal levels and produce unbiased reliable standard errors. With a sample size of 18,444 households nested within nine provinces, the findings show that climate change is a reality in South Africa, and it poses serious threats that expose households to future food consumption inadequacies. This study also offers a deeper understanding of the different sources of vulnerability among these households. Poverty or structural-induced vulnerability emerged as the main source of vulnerability for South African households. Climate change-induced vulnerabilities were also found to be prevalent and detrimental in rural areas with Limpopo and Eastern Cape being the most vulnerable provinces.

Economic vulnerability and poor service delivery made it more difficult for shack-dwellers to comply with COVID-19 restrictions

In South Africa, demand for housing close to viable/sustained sources of employment has far outstripped supply; and the size of the population living in temporary structures/shacks (and in poorly serviced informal settlements) has continued to increase. While such dwellings and settlements pose a number of established risks to the health of their residents, the present study aimed to explore whether they might also undermine the potential impact of regulations intended to safeguard public health, such as the stringent lockdown restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Using a representative sample of 1381 South African households surveyed in May–June 2021, the present study found that respondents in temporary structures/shacks were more likely to report non-compliance (or difficulty in complying) with lockdown restrictions when compared to those living in traditional/formal houses/ flats/rooms/hostels (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.45). However, this finding was substantially attenuated and lost precision following adjustment for preceding socio-demographic and economic determinants of housing quality (adjusted OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.87). Instead, respondents were far more likely to report non-compliance (or difficulty in complying) with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions if their dwellings lacked private/indoor toilet facilities (adjusted OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.22) or if they were ‘Black/ African’, young, poorly educated and under-employed (regardless of their socio-economic position, or whether they resided in temporary structures/shacks, respectively). Restrictions imposed to safeguard public health need to be more sensitively designed to accommodate the critical roles that poverty and inadequate service delivery play in limiting the ability of residents living in temporary structures/shacks and inadequately serviced dwellings/settlements to comply. Significance: South Africans living in temporary structures/shacks are more likely to be poorly educated and under-employed, with fewer assets and limited access to basic household services. Poverty and inadequate service delivery were more important determinants of compliance with COVID-19 restrictions than housing quality. In the absence of improvements in economic circumstances and the delivery of basic household services, restrictions imposed to safeguard public health need to be more sensitively designed to take account of the structural barriers to compliance experienced by households where poverty and/or inadequate service delivery limit their ability to stay at home; maintain hygiene; and/or practise social distancing.

Satisfaction with water services delivery in South Africa: the effects of social comparison

This paper investigates the role of social comparisons in determining the satisfaction of South African households with municipal water service delivery. We use a unique balanced-panel dataset from 2015 to 2017 with national coverage, from Statistics South Africa General Household Surveys. Our results show that social comparison significantly affect household satisfaction with water service delivery. Moreover, we find evidence of both downward and upward comparison, with the latter having the strongest effect. Hence, we find indication of both altruism or risk sharing and information signalling between closer neighbours. We conclude that, since satisfaction with water service delivery seems to be strongly influenced by psychological and behavioural factors such as social comparison, satisfaction surveys serve a limited purpose as a foundation for public policy, because satisfaction is determined in part by factors that are unrelated to the actual service experienced by households. Our empirical evidence confirms this line of reasoning. The findings are robust for variety of reference groups.

Impact of irrigation on welfare and vulnerability to poverty in South African farming households

Many empirical studies have documented the role of farm management practices such as irrigation in reducing poverty and improving household well-being. Few studies, however, have looked at the impact of irrigation farming on poverty vulnerability and the welfare of rural farming household. This study examined the factors that influence farmers’ participation in irrigation farming, as well as how it affects farmers' food consumption expenditure per capita (proxy for welfare), poverty gap index, poverty severity and poverty vulnerability. The study's data was collected from farming households in the northern and coastal parts of the Eastern province of South Africa. The endogenous switching regression (ESR) model was employed in the study to account for selection bias that could be caused by both observed and unobserved household factors. The empirical result shows that gender, household size, educational attainment, crop diversification, and market outlet among others influenced farmers' decision to practice irrigation farming. Farmers engaging in irrigation farming boosted their food consumption per capita by 44%, while non-participants would have increased their consumption expenditure per capita by 23% if they had participated. Moreover, participating farmers reduced their poverty gap index by 20% and poverty severity by 22%, whereas non-participating farmers could have reduced their poverty gap index and poverty severity by 5% and 17%, respectively had they engaged in irrigation farming. Participation in irrigation farming also reduced poverty vulnerability by 25%, while non-participants may have reduced poverty vulnerability by 3%. The findings suggest that enhancing farmers' access to irrigation is crucial to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty in all its manifestations everywhere.

Exploring the Food (In)Security Status of Suburban Households and Its Determinants during COVID-19

Household food insecurity in South African suburban low-income households is a major challenge. Research outcomes that will inform decisions on effective solutions towards reducing household food insecurity in South Africa are essential. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the food security status of households and the skills of household members in Ward 60 of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Secondly, it was also to determine the association between the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the households and their level of food (in-)security. The study employed a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, comprising a qualitative Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) methodology and a quantitative household food security survey methodology. A household food security survey was employed using a questionnaire that was based on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 randomly selected households. The data analysis used the HFIAS score and logistic regression analysis. The results show 6.1% of households as food secure, 3.05% as mildly food insecure, 13.4% as moderately food insecure, and 77.4% as severely food insecure. The results also show that a significant unemployment rate, a reliance on social grants, and absence of income seriously impact the extent of household food insecurity. The results show a significant association between the household food security and the variables of unemployment, income, and gender. The regression analysis results suggest that gender, household size, age, employment, and household income influence household food security. The results of the household skills show that the households had a variety of skills. These results can help to inform decisions by the government, local municipalities, NGOs, and other stakeholders towards designing effective solutions for enhancing household food security.

Decomposing consumer and producer effects on sugar from beverage purchases after a sugar-based tax on beverages in South Africa

Growing global concern about obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases has raised interest in fiscal policy as a tool to reduce this disease burden and its social costs, especially excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Of particular interest have been nutrient-based taxes to improve diet quality. These can incentivize producers to reformulate existing products and introduce healthier alternatives into their ranges. In 2018, South Africa adopted a sugar-based tax on SSBs, the Health Promotion Levy (HPL). Early findings suggest that purchases of higher-sugar taxable beverages fell and purchases of no- and lower-sugar beverages increased, alongside significant reductions in the sugar content of overall beverage purchases. However, underlying these changes are consumption shifts as well as product reformulation and changes in producers’ product portfolios. Drawing on a household scanner dataset, this study employed a descriptive approach to decompose changes in the sugar content of households’ non-alcoholic beverage purchases into producer factors (reformulation and product entry and exit) and consumer factors (product switching and volume changes as a result of price changes, changing preferences, or other factors). We look at these factors as the tax was announced and implemented across a sample of over 3000 South African households, and then by Living Standard Measures (LSM) groups (middle vs. high). The sugar content of beverage purchases fell by 4.9 g/capita/day overall, a 32% decrease. Taken in isolation, consumer switching and volume changes together led to a reduction equivalent to 71% of the total change, while reformulation accounted for a decrease equal to 34% of that change. Middle-LSM households experienced larger reductions than high-LSM households due to larger changes on the consumer side. For both LSM groups, reformulation-led reductions mostly occurred after implementation, and most changes came from taxable beverage purchases. As sugary drink tax designs evolve with broader implementation globally, understanding both supply- and demand-side factors will help to better assess the population and equity potential of these policies.

The impact of diabetes on labour market outcomes

ABSTRACT This study estimates the effect of diabetes on labour market outcomes (employment, unemployment and labour force participation) in South Africa using data from the South African General Household Survey (2018). We first examine the possibility that diabetes status is endogenous through the application of heteroscedasticity-based instruments. Internal instruments meet the underlying diagnostic expectations, but do not consistently accept the endogeneity hypothesis. Thus we turn to multinomial logit models, ignoring endogeneity, to estimate the effect of diabetes. Our findings indicate that diabetes has differential effects for men and women, where the magnitude of the effect tends to be larger (in absolute value) for women.

Significance of Financial Literacy on Personal Savings Behaviour: A study of the City of Tshwane and Mahikeng Municipality Employees

The objective of this study was to identify the level of financial literacy among South African households and statistically ascertain the impact of financial literacy variables on household savings behaviour. Quantitative research was conducted to achieve these objectives, where data was collected from the employees of City of Tshwane and Mahikeng Municipality. A cluster analysis was employed to identify the group cluster of respondents. In addition, a Path Coefficient analysis was conducted to identify the significance of financial literacy on household savings behaviour. The study's findings revealed that the respondents have a reasonable level of financial literacy, which is in line with the conceptual findings of previous literatures. Secondly, it was ascertained that variables under financial control, financial planning, financial knowledge, and understanding positively impact household savings behaviour. Meaning that the more they are familiar with these variables, the more they are likely to save. On the contrary, the variables under the construct of knowledge of financial products and services were identified to impact household savings behaviour negatively, meaning that the more they are knowledgeable on financial products and services, the lesser they are likely to save. Hence, it was concluded that stakeholders and policymakers in charge of financial and savings literacy in South Africa should incorporate these identified positive variables of financial literacy into their savings campaign programmes.

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FEMALE MIGRANT YOUTH IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE CASE OF FEMALE REFUGEES IN A SELECTED CHURCH IN MUSINA

This qualitative research sought to explore sustainable livelihoods for the international female migrant youth in South Africa by using a narrative theory. South Africa has a number of the international female migrant youth coming from countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who migrated to the country for better standards of living and sustainable livelihoods. Studies reveal that during their quest to seek a better life, female migrants face various challenges which impede their successful adaptation in South African communities. There are no studies specifically conducted in Musina to allow female migrant youth to narrate strategies for their sustainable livelihoods given the challenges they face. Thus, nine female refugees in a selected church in Musina were conveniently and purposefully selected as a case study to pursue the aim of the current research. Data was collected through semi-structured face to face interviews and were analysed thematically with the assistance of the Nvivo software. Findings reveal that female migrants find it difficult to secure jobs in South Africa because of their undocumented status. For their sustainable livelihoods, female migrant youth employ different strategies to mitigate hunger and unemployment which include street vending, setting up hair salons and doing menial jobs such as cleaning, washing for South African households. The study has also found that female migrant youth have an entrepreneurial mind as they have established certain strategies to survive under extreme hardships. It can thus be concluded from this study that female migrant youth in South Africa are faced with unpleasant challenges upon their arrival leading them to making tough decisions on how they are going to survive, hence their involvement in the informal sector. Skills based programmes to empower immigrants should be established in order to assist those who cannot find employment.