scholarly journals The impact of household size on poverty: An analysis of various low-income townships in the Northern Free State region, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Francois Meyer ◽  
Rachel Nishimwe-Niyimbanira
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Free State ◽  
State Region ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Estimation of Equivalence Scale and Assessment of Its Impact on Poverty Measurement in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9081
Author(s):  
Md. Matiur Rahman ◽  
Seung-Hoon Jeon ◽  
Kyoung-Soo Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Household Consumption ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Poverty Measurement ◽  
Implicit Assumption ◽  
Equivalence Scale ◽  
Poverty Lines ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Scale Estimate

Anti-poverty policies for sustainable development require efficient targeting, for which appropriate poverty lines play a crucial role. In Bangladesh, official poverty lines are estimated with the implicit assumption that there are no economies of scale in household consumption with respect to household size or composition, which raises the question of the accuracy and reliability of the measurement of poverty line. We test the existence of economies of scale, estimate their size, and assess the impact of applying equivalence scale to poverty measurement, using the 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey data of Bangladesh. The results confirm the existence of economies of scale in household consumption. Following the model developed by Kakwani and Son, the overall index of economies of scale in household consumption is estimated around 0.85. Modified poverty lines show that under official poverty lines, the probability of being poor is high with respect to household size. The result implies that the poverty head-count ratio(HCR) for households with large number of members might be overestimated in Bangladesh, and that there may be an incentive for low income families to enlarge family size to avail of anti-poverty public transfers.

scholarly journals Influence of Altitude on the Spatiotemporal Variations of Meteorological Droughts in Mountain Regions of the Free State Province, South Africa (1960–2013)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mbiriri ◽  
G. Mukwada ◽  
D. Manatsa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Free State ◽  
Windward Side ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Free State Province ◽  
The Impact

The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was computed for October to December (OND) and January to March (JFM) summer subseasons for Free State Province, South Africa, to assess the influence of altitude on drought severity and frequency. The observed spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the SPI variability revealed that factors governing drought interannual variability varied markedly within the region for the two subseasons. Strong correlations between r=0.76 and 0.93 across the clusters in both subseasons were observed. Significant shift in average SPI, towards the high during the OND subseason, was detected for the far western low-lying and central regions of the province around the 1990s. An ANOVA test revealed a significant relationship between drought severity and altitude during the OND subseason only. The impact of altitude is partly manifested in the strong relationship between meridional winds and SPI extremes. When the winds are largely northerly, Free State lies predominantly in the windward side of the Drakensberg Mountains but lies in the rain shadow when the winds are mostly southerly. The relationship between ENSO and SPI indicates stronger correlations for the early summer subseason than for the late summer subseason while overall presenting a diminishing intensity with height over the province.

scholarly journals Household Characteristics and Food Security in Low-Income Urban Areas of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-276
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Food Markets

In South Africa, food security at the household level is an issue still needing empirical attention. This study conducts an empirical analysis on the effect of household size, income of household head, gender of household head, location of the household, and distance from food markets on food security in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A binary logistic regression model is estimated to analyze determinants of food security from 900 households randomly selected from three townships of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire, with food security measured by the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. This study shows that the income of the household head promotes food security while household size and location of the household contribute to food insecurity. Our results also show that the gender of the household head is essential in maintaining sustainable levels of food security. Furthermore, it was found that the distance from food markets neither makes households food secure nor insecure. This study validates that matriarchal households exhibited comparatively greater food security than male-headed households. The findings of this study are essential in formulating policy on food security in low-income areas.

scholarly journals Air Quality and Human Health among a Low Income Community in the Highveld Priority Area

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.Y Wright ◽  
R Oosthuizen ◽  
J John ◽  
R.M Garland ◽  
P Albers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Priority Area ◽  
The Impact

Human exposure to poor air quality is linked to adverse health effects. The largest burden of air pollution-related diseases is in developing countries where air pollution levels are also among the highest in the world. In South Africa, two geographic areas, the Vaal Triangle and the Highveld, have been identified for air quality managementinterventions to ensure compliance with National Air Quality Management Standards and to control potential harmful air pollution impacts on human health. The Highveld Priority Area (HPA) is characterised by intense mining, coal-fired power plants, industries, including iron and steel manufacturing, chemical plants, agricultural activity, motor vehicles and domestic fuel burning. Apart from two previous studies, no respiratory health studies have been carried out in the HPA. This paper describes the results of a recent, comprehensive study of ambient air quality, potential exposure to air pollution and air-related human health among a low income community living in the HPA in order to better understand the impact of air pollution on human health in South Africa.

scholarly journals The impact of IT adoption in SMEs supply chains: A case of Gauteng and Free State provinces of South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Mathu ◽  
M. T. Tlare
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Free State ◽  
Information Technology Adoption ◽  
The Impact

This study probed the influence of information technology adoption by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Gauteng and Free State Provinces of South Africa. The supply chain integration and collaboration of the SMEs was also explored to ascertain the IT influence. A quantitative methodology was used as it was the best way to measure the extent of the information technology (IT) influence. The participants were sent questionnaires via the e-mail and provided feedback to the researcher via the same medium. The sample size of 300 comprised the owner/manager in the manufacturing and service sector SMEs from the two provinces. The data collected was analysed using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) method and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS 22 Statistical Analysis software. The findings from the study indicated that information technology adoption enhanced integration and collaboration of SMEs supply chain. It also emerged that there was wide application of information technology amongst most of the SMEs approached. The other benefits that emerged from the increased use of IT in the supply chain included enhancement of customer service, inventory management, lead time, and relationship building. Indeed, Instilling IT skills to the SMEs employees was actually knowledge enhancement in performing business tasks.

Impact of organisational culture on job stress and burnout in graded accommodation establishments in the Free State province, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deseré Kokt ◽  
Relebohile Ramarumo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Free State ◽  
Competing Values ◽  
Free State Province ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of organisational culture on job stress and burnout in graded accommodation establishments. The demanding nature of work in the hospitality industry (e.g. long hours and shift work) renders job stress and burnout, a persisting challenge for the industry. Employees that are constantly subjected to a challenging work environment may experience increased levels of job stress and burnout or even leave the industry entirely. The Free State province of South Africa has a well-established hospitality sector, and this investigation shows the extent to which job stress and burnout are mitigated by a favourable organisational culture. Design/methodology/approach – A structured questionnaire was administered to 46 graded accommodation establishments in the two main economic clusters (Bloemfontein and Clarens) of the Free State province of South Africa. The investigation was quantitative in nature and the robust competing values framework (CVF) was used as conceptual guide. Findings – The findings indicate that graded accommodation establishments had a predominantly Rational Culture, which points to strong external positioning and competitiveness. Correlation and regression analyses further confirmed that although the Rational Culture does have a mitigating effect on job stress and burnout, the values associated with the Group Culture and Developmental Culture exert an even stronger mitigating effect. Practical implications – Managers need to establish a flexible, employee-oriented work environment where employees are allowed to be innovative and entrepreneurial. Originality/value – The main causes of job stress and burnout in accommodation establishments revolve around the intense customer focus of the industry and the subsequent performance expected from employees.

scholarly journals HIGHER EDUCATION: SUSTAINING THE FUTURE OF STUDENTS DURING A PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naziema Jappie ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Disadvantaged Students ◽  
The South ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
The Future ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 challenge is unprecedented; its scale still is not fully understood. Universities in the South Africa do have plans in place to continue the academic year in 2021 but have no idea to what extent education will resume to normal face to face activity. Although the future is unpredictable, given the uncertainty in the epidemiological and economic outlooks, universities have to ensure quality and sustainability for the medium and long-term implications for teaching, learning, the student experience, infrastructure, operations, and staff. Amongst the range of effects that COVID-19 will have on higher education this year, and possibly into future years, admission arrangements for students is one of the biggest. It is also one of the most difficult to manage because it is inherently cross sector, involving both schools and higher education. There is no template in any country of how to manage education during the pandemic. However, there are major concerns that exist, in particular, regarding the impact on learners from low income and disadvantaged groups. Many are vulnerable and cannot access the digital platform. Post 1994, the South African government placed emphasis on the introduction of policies, resources and mechanisms aimed at redressing the legacy of a racially and ethnically fragmented, unjust, dysfunctional and unequal education system inherited from apartheid. Many gains were made over the past two decades especially, in higher education, two of which were access and funding for the disadvantaged students to attend university. However, the pandemic in 2020 disrupted this plan, causing the very same disadvantaged students to stay at home without proper learning facilities, poor living conditions or no access to devices and data. The paper argues that the tensions and challenges that dominated the Covid-19 digital educational reform have resulted in a significant paradigm shift focused on out of classroom experiences as expressed in the new ways of teaching and learning and possibly leaving certain groups of students behind. Consideration is given to three broad areas within higher education in South Africa. Firstly the current dilemma of teaching and learning, secondly, the access or lack thereof to the digital platform and challenges facing students, and the thirdly, the issue of admission to higher education. All three areas of concern represent the degree to which we face educational disruption during the pandemic.

scholarly journals The Impact Of The National Credit Act On Residential Mortgage Lending In South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-544
Author(s):  
Catherine Boonzaaier ◽  
Joseph Chisasa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Credit Market ◽  
Mortgage Lending ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Residential Mortgage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
National Credit Act

The purpose of the study reported in this article was to determine the impact of the National Credit Act on residential mortgage lending in South Africa.  The National Credit Act (NCA) was promulgated and implemented on 1 June 2007. The purpose of the NCA was to remove the many unfair practices, inappropriate disclosure and anti-competitive practices from the market and to achieve honesty in the credit market. Low-income groups were held back because they could not gain access to formal finance to build or improve houses or supplement housing subsidies to get bigger houses. This study applied a quantitative research design using monthly time series secondary data for the period January 2001 to August 2011. The statistical analysis techniques used in this study were t-tests, descriptive statistics, trend analysis and correlation analysis. It was found that the NCA had a positive effect on the residential mortgages in South Africa. These results have policy implications on the continued regulation of the credit market and the avoidance of reckless lending.

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