Faculty of Management Sciences
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Item Child support grant and poverty alleviation in Jika Joe informal settlement(2023-04) Xaba, Ntombizonke Maureen; Fagbadebo, Omololu M.Evidence found in the literature suggests that Child Support Grant is among the most important programmes to alleviate poverty in South Africa. Findings from previous studies suggest that the Child Support Grant is an important tool of social protection in South Africa, reaching over 17 million South African children each month. However, the impact and extent of its effectiveness thereof has not been adequately explored and are still debated. Previous studies tended to focus more on the Child Support Grant as a tool to provide for the basic need of the child rather than its impact on both the beneficiary and the child. This research examined the Child Support Grant and poverty alleviation at Jika Joe Informal Settlement. The objectives of this study were to examine the development programmes other than cash transfer designed for the Child Support Grant beneficiaries at Jika Joe informal settlement, to identify the challenges that hinder the realisation of the government’s objectives in poverty alleviation at Jika Joe informal settlement and to examine the effectiveness of the poverty alleviation component of Child Support Grant. Using a qualitative method approach, this study collected data from South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) management at Pietermaritzburg Local Office, also known as “Mbilakhahlela” and Jika Joe Informal settlement residents, in which the said SASSA office provides Social Grants to qualifying residents. This study is conceptualized within the framework of understanding poverty, high unemployment rate, inadequate infrastructure, zero hunger and corruption from the premise that poverty remains largely a challenge unmet! The study conducted an in-depth interview with the research participants to gain a better understanding of Child Support Grant more specifically the obstacles that might hamper the government’s objectives in alleviating poverty. The study also examined whether there are developmental programs provided by the Government to demonstrate positive marks. The focus of the study was to examine the contribution of the Child Support Grant to poverty alleviation at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement. The analysis of data showed that Jika Joe residents perceive the Child Support Grant as an effective tool to provide for the basic needs of the child. This is, however, compromised by the fact that the very same grant is commonly shared by the entire family in the area. Another reported problem was the lack of beneficiary empowerment as manifested in general skills shortage which disadvantaged Jika Joe residents from competitively participating in the job market. The conclusions of the study were based on the findings. Some of the findings revealed the effectiveness of the Child Support Grant, even though this is vitiated by the prevalence of the utilisation of the grant by entire households. The findings also revealed that the government does have development programmes, but the question of whether they are relevant to the community of Jika Joe Informal Settlement remains indeterminate. The study also points to the need for the Government to seriously consider the introduction of the Basic Income Grant; the relocation of the Jika Joe residents to more decent housing like the newly built flats that they had been promised.Item Assessing the social well-being of children in Durban left behind by parents working outside the borders of South Africa(2022-04) Buthelezi, Ntombizodwa Elaine; Adam, Jamila KhatoonIn recent times, South Africa has seen an increase in temporary migration of working mothers and fathers compared to previous years leaving their children behind regardless of age. Children are left in not so familiar environment to learn to cope without their parents. Young and middle-aged males and females are away from homes for periods from 6 months to 12 months or even more before their first home visit from seeking greener pastures and financial stability. The absence of parents has led to children encountering challenges that range from schoolwork, poor social adjustment, short-lived happiness, signs of loneliness even when amongst fellow children. Furthermore, children tend to assume adult responsibilities, thus protecting and defending younger siblings. Children left behind by migrating parents live in difficult conditions and are subjected to different challenges such as social instability, low education performance, psychological effects. This study aimed to assess the social well-being of children left behind by South African parents working outside the country. A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken using a non-probability sampling technique known as judgemental sampling. The target population for this study was all families that are taking care of children who have been left behind by parents seeking greener pastures outside the country. The sample size for this study was six families in the KwaZulu Natal province specifically in the Durban area. Data were analysed using NVIVO. The findings of this study showed that children face loneliness due to the absence of their parents. Due to the lack of parental care, they feel helpless because they cannot do as they wish. No parental support when it comes to school activities. The limitation of this study was that the sample size was small as such the findings cannot be applied beyond the current scope. Future research should be conducted across South Africa using a large sample size. Also, a comparative study should be undertaken to broaden the understanding of the problem.