Survival in Rural Communities- A Case Study of Livelihoods in Eastern Cape South Africa
[1]
Takunda John Chirau, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
The paper presents empirical findings on the livelihoods of female headed households in Eastern Cape. The central aim of the paper was explorative in nature paying attention to livelihood strategies as well as the challenges encountered by the female headed households (FHH). A Qualitative methodological instrument in form of in-depth interviews with 15 female heads was conducted to elicit thick descriptions with regard to how they earn a living and challenges they face. The theoretical framework that underpinned this study was the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. The study uncovered that female headed household’s gained income from state transfers, remittances, petty trading and savings groups. Households survived according to their access to natural capital and off-farm income. It also revealed that livelihoods were threatened by different vulnerability context for instance lack of employment, land and finances. The study concluded that female heads engaged in low return livelihoods hence continued to be locked in perennial vicious poverty however; this does not discredit the significance of such livelihoods.
Livelihoods, Sustainable Livelihood, Female Head, Household
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