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Foreign Aid to South Africa

Foreign Aid to South AfricaForeign aid to South Africa has been crucial in sustaining its people for over two decades. South Africa is a country that faces a multitude of issues that hinder its way of life. Disease, government corruption and lack of infrastructure are but some problems that the people of South Africa face. The country has an unemployment rate of 32.1%, one of the highest nations with AIDS at 13.9% of the population, and more than 20 million facing food poverty or hunger daily. The requirement for foreign aid is vital in ensuring the people receive the aid that they desperately need whether it be medical aid or food aid. 

Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and European Union are core donors in helping South Africa tackle their problems. Below are some examples of foreign aid programs.

Foreign Aid From the US

Out of all the countries involved in foreign aid, the U.S. has been the largest donor of foreign aid to South Africa, giving more than $527 million in ODA. The United States has been a large donor for combating diseases in South Africa through its USAID programs, such as PEPFAR. PEPFAR has actively tackled the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, saving an estimated 7.7 million lives in South Africa and giving 5.9 million access to antiretroviral treatment. The U.S. has further approved more than $450 million into PEPFAR for South Africa and has seen more than $8 billion invested over two decades. 

Additionally, ANOVA APACE, a USAID funding program that addresses health epidemics in South Africa, has received more than $36.5 million. While it works to address HIV/AIDS, it also works to combat tuberculosis outbreaks in South Africa as South Africa is one of the top eight countries still affected by the disease. In ANOVA’s first year, it treated 62% of people living with HIV and 54% were virally suppressed. As more than 13% of the population live with HIV/AIDS, this has been the cornerstone to tackling the epidemic.

Foreign Aid From the UK

The United Kingdom has been one of the largest donors of foreign aid to South Africa. It has provided £19 million ODA to South Africa, which goes towards vital infrastructure projects and job creation. Most notable is the Energy Transition Support program that is moving South Africa from fossil fuel energy to more renewable sources, with the aim of stimulating the economy and energy facilities. The U.K. has pledged £2.4 million to finance the sectors involved.

Additionally, the U.K. massively funds democratic initiatives. In the 2023 election period, the U.K. gave funding to ensure that South Africa held a democratic and fair election. The programs ensured that South Africa’s pre- and post-election voting and results were fair, as well as improved the political research going into the candidates and government statistics.

Foreign Aid From the EU

The European Union has established multiple programs in South Africa across a plethora of areas. The IIPSA has been crucial in building & creating new infrastructure to harbor economic growth. From building roads, schools or other institutions, the organization has grown both the job market and the livelihoods of everyday people. EU initiatives have created more than 1 million jobs since 2020 and a massive 62% are women employees.

Erasmus+ has helped improve the education system for South African universities. It allows foreign students from Europe to go and learn in South Africa, and vice versa, improving not only the flexibility of student exchange programs, but builds on improving higher education.

Moreover, the EU has helped South Africa in SME fundings. These investments reported more than 2,000 jobs created for South Africans, in much needed departments such as ICT, green economy and agriculture. More than 160,000 SMEs have benefitted from these foreign aid improvements.

Outcomes

The goals of these initiatives was to help improve the lives of South Africans and it has been a resounding success. Foreign aid to South Africa from these key donors has helped stimulate its economy, healthcare system and governmental programs and institutions. 

Foreign aid has helped with job creation, improved job markets, better wages, less death from disease and economic improvement. These are the areas most affected by foreign aid to South Africa, and the continuing support from the U.K. and E.U. will only benefit the country further. 

However, with the cutting of current USAID funding packages, South Africa will have to look elsewhere for massive chunks of its funding. As the U.S. propped up the majority of the health industry in South Africa, foreign aid must come from more international organizations to fulfil its needs, but there currently are no solutions to confront the current situation.

Furthermore, the foreign aid sent to South Africa does not always target poverty, and more funding and new strategies will be needed to more directly impact those facing poverty in South Africa. While there has been noticeable improvements to societal struggle, foreign aid to South Africa has not impacted the 40% that still live below the poverty line.

– Joel Raymer

Joel is based in Derby, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How South Africa’s Energy System Limited Progress

South Africa’s EnergySouth Africa has long grappled with energy challenges rooted in its Apartheid-Era policies. The electricity grid was historically designed to serve a small, privileged minority, leaving vast portions of the population without access to reliable power. This outdated infrastructure failed to meet the demands of a growing population after apartheid ended, leading to frequent blackouts and widespread dissatisfaction. These challenges underscore the need to shift toward clean energy in South Africa.

In 2011, the government launched the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) in response to the energy crisis. This initiative aimed to bring private investors into the renewable energy sector and address systemic inequalities by improving access to affordable electricity. Over the years, the program has made significant strides, reshaping South Africa’s energy landscape.

REIPPPP: A Game-Changer for Clean Energy

The REIPPPP is often lauded as a transformative project that promotes economic growth and sustainable development. By encouraging private companies, known as Independent Power Producers (IPPs), to invest in clean energy in South Africa, the program has delivered tangible results. It has added more than 6,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid through wind, solar, and hydro projects

A key feature of REIPPPP is its focus on socio-economic benefits. Participating companies have to allocate a percentage of their revenue to local community development. Since its development, the program has provided 55,000 job years for South African citizens and could create even more, helping reduce poverty and improve living conditions for underserved communities.

Affordable Clean Energy

In rural areas, REIPPP projects have provided reliable and sustainable electricity. The Touwsrivier Concentrated Solar Plant in the Western Cape has significantly contributed to rural electrification by installing a 44 kW solar Photovoltaic (PV) system.

Additionally, the CPV1 solar power project, in partnership with local authorities, has expanded its impact by installing solar PV systems at schools. These systems have drastically reduced electricity costs, saving R5,000 (300$) per month per school. The savings were redirected toward purchasing educational resources, thereby improving the quality of education in underserved areas.

Increased Investment in the Country

The REIPPPP has attracted around R193 billion (US$16 billion) in investments, driving nearly 6 GW of renewable energy procurement since 2011. Notably, around R135.6 billion of the total investment stems from international financiers, with 25.8% contributed by foreign sources, according to the International Trade Administration (IDA). The United States remains the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Africa’s renewable energy sector, with several U.S. companies actively participating in tenders issued by the South African Department of Energy.

Beyond providing affordable and clean electricity, the program has allocated R19.1 billion to socio-economic development initiatives, benefiting local communities and creating employment opportunities, Blue Horizon reports. This alignment between private and public sectors highlights the potential of partnerships to drive sustainable development.

By bridging gaps in energy access and fostering economic investment, the REIPPPP continues to serve as a global model for renewable energy initiatives.

The Role of Eskom in the Energy Transition

While REIPPPP has made considerable progress, its success is closely tied to Eskom, South Africa’s primary electricity supplier. Eskom generates approximately 95% of the country’s electricity, largely from coal, which poses environmental and operational challenges, according to IDA. The utility’s aging infrastructure and financial woes have prompted the government to explore partnerships with IPPs to diversify energy sources. However, through REIPPPP, Eskom has incorporated clean energy into South Africa’s national grid, providing cleaner and more reliable power, IDA reports.

This collaboration highlights the importance of combining public and private efforts to overcome energy challenges in South Africa.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite its successes, the shift to clean energy in South Africa is not without challenges. The current grid infrastructure is insufficient to support the increased demand for clean energy in South Africa. Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa emphasized that while there is significant interest from the private sector to engage in the REIPPPP, the lack of grid capacity hinders progress in deploying new projects.

The slow and complex licensing process for IPPs has been a significant barrier to the progress of renewable energy projects. These delays have deterred investment and slowed the deployment of energy solutions. Minister Ramokgopa acknowledged this issue and outlined plans to simplify and potentially eliminate licensing requirements to facilitate faster integration of renewable energy into the grid and support the country’s decarbonization efforts.

South Africa’s workforce is primarily skilled in coal and nuclear energy. As the country transitions to renewable energy, there is a risk of job losses unless the workforce is up-skilled. The lack of proper training and capacity-building programs could lead to unemployment among coal workers and a shortage of skilled professionals in the clean energy sector. It is essential to prioritize training and skills transfer to ensure a smooth transition.

Solutions for a Sustainable Future

South Africa faces significant hurdles in its transition to clean energy, but there are viable solutions. Indeed, by modernizing the grid infrastructure, simplifying regulatory processes and providing reskilling programs for coal workers, the country can accelerate its energy shift. Strengthening public-private partnerships will also attract vital investment and foster socio-economic development. These steps could ensure a just transition to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

The REIPPPP offers a clear path forward for South Africa, demonstrating how renewable energy can foster economic growth, create jobs and tackle inequality. Furthermore, if fully embraced, South Africa has the potential to lead the global transition toward clean energy, setting a powerful example for other nations to follow.

– Mmanoko Faith Molobetsi

Mmanoko is based in Pretoria, South Africa and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling Illiteracy Rates in South Africa

illiteracy rates in South AfricaAlthough there has been a rise in literacy rates over the past fifty years, UNESCO data shows that there are 763 million adults worldwide who still cannot read or write. Sub-Saharan Africa has an illiteracy rate of 34% as it currently stands, with illiteracy rates in South Africa being 10.2%, roughly around 3.9 million adults. However, all is not lost and conscious efforts are being made by the people to improve the literacy rate. Multiple NGOs are working hard to fix the problem.

Root Cause of the Problem

During apartheid, the South African government implemented many policies that allowed for racial segregation and discrimination to take place, in the education system and other governmental systems alike. In 1953, the government announced the Bantu Education Act which replaced local schools with more schools under government control to decrease learning opportunities for black students.

According to a Stanford University article, 96% of teachers held education certificates in white schools compared to a measly 15% in black schools.

Unfortunately, the legacy continues today, with schools having inadequate infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of qualified teachers. Barriers such as hunger and malnutrition further exacerbate the problem of illiteracy in South Africa.

Empowerment Through Education

Many different charities are currently working hard to tackle the problem of the illiteracy rate in South Africa. MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet community program work continuously supports and raises funds for schools, charities and welfare organizations. Most recently it cooperated with different organisations to tackle the issue. The program collaborated with Builders and most recently created three Grade RR classrooms for a non-profit school in Cape Flats. Adri Marais, CEO of the school Christel House stated: “These top quality grade RR classrooms are putting an additional 60 students per year on a pathway out of poverty.”

Relate Bracelets and Shine Literacy are two non-profits that have also collaborated to help tackle illiteracy rates in South Africa. Relate Bracelets is an organization creating handmade bracelets whilst providing employment opportunities for underprivileged individuals, its focus is to create sustainable initiatives. Shine Literacy focuses on early intervention programs which support reading and writing skills for Grade 2 and Grade 3 students.

Although the program ended, the two organizations worked to raise funds and awareness for literacy initiatives. This collaboration aimed to encourage the culture of reading amongst children, and its main goal was to create a nation of lifelong readers and learners.

Nal’ibali

Nal’ibali, a national reading campaign in South Africa has been making strides to improve the literacy rate in the country. Nal’ibali aims to create and nurture a culture of reading in children and for all children to have positive experiences with stories and reading books.

In 2022, Nal’ibali reached more than 22 million people (37% of the target) through radio, television and by distributing material to read. The organization also reached more than 2 million children (75% of the target) through children read to on World Read Aloud Day, as well as various reading programmes and partnerships. It frequently collaborates with PRAESA to develop and implement literacy programs, and the partnerships help to make their initiatives more accessible for everyone.

Unified Efforts

South Africa has taken many legislative and policy measures to address the illiteracy rate and alleviate the problem. In September 2024, President Ramaphosa signed a law which made one year of pre-primary education compulsory. In 2024, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act was also enacted to introduce compulsory education, regulated homeschooling and the abolition of corporal punishment backed by fines.

Despite these advancements, challenges still exist when it comes to tackling illiteracy rates in South Africa. A significant literacy gap remains and unified efforts are necessary to end the problem. The enactment of the Basic Education Laws Amendment alongside the combined efforts of the multiple organizations mentioned in this piece demonstrates a commitment to reducing the illiteracy rate and nurturing a culture of reading across the country in general.

– Ayat Aslam

Ayat is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Inequality and Unemployment in South Africa

unemployment in South AfricaIn 2023, more than half of South Africa’s population lived in poverty. According to the World Bank’s upper middle-income poverty line of $6.85 per day, the rate was 61.6%. Over the last decade, South Africa has faced a period of slow economic growth. This has reduced the number of available jobs, preventing many people from securing a stable income and thus reinforcing the high poverty rate. Unemployment is a major problem in South Africa, but the factors that cause and contribute to it are multifaceted.

South Africa has a long history of structural inequality. In the early 20th century, Apartheid legally systematized racial inequality with laws that limited Black people’s productive ownership of land and specified which schools, houses and jobs were available to people based on their race. Though South Africa ended Apartheid in 1994 and eradicated most discriminatory policies of the era, those policies are still impacting society today. This article will focus on how structural inequality exacerbates poverty and unemployment in South Africa.

Unemployment in South Africa

South Africa has an unemployment rate of 32.9%. There could be two main reasons for this: a lack of jobs to accommodate the nation’s growing labor force and structural inequality of opportunity.

Economic growth and employment opportunities are closely related — typically, greater economic growth results in lower unemployment. South Africa’s slow economic growth is thus a major contributor to high levels of unemployment. As of 2023, its economy grew by only 0.6%, and despite the addition of 790,000 new jobs that same year, the rate of job creation was not sufficient to account for the growing labor force, causing the unemployment rate to rise.

Structural inequality of opportunity also reinforces unemployment — this is particularly noticeable when examining the racial demographics of South Africa’s unemployed. In the first quarter of 2024, people of color had noticeably higher rates of unemployment — for example, Black South Africans had an unemployment rate of 36.9%, compared with 9.2% for their white counterparts.

Racial Inequality and Unemployment

In 2022, the World Bank labeled South Africa one of the most unequal countries in the world, based on its levels of economic and educational inequality of opportunity, among other factors.

Economic inequality is a major problem in South Africa. The nation’s income distribution consists of a large number of low-income earners, a small middle class, and only a few high-income earners, according to the World Bank. Al Jazeera reports that the wealthiest 10% of South Africans accounted for 80% of all wealth in 2022.

The World Bank then cited race as a major driver of inequality in South Africa, given its influence on economic and educational opportunity. According to Amnesty International in 2020, Black households in South Africa earned roughly 20% less than white households, and nearly half of the Black population lived below the poverty line, compared with less than 1% of the white population.

Education

Inequality is also pervasive in schools. Students in the top 200 schools achieve more mathematics distinctions than children in the next 6,600 schools combined. The nation’s child literacy rate is equally worrying: more than three-quarters of children aged nine cannot read for meaning.

These numbers are closely tied to racial inequality. An article in Oxford Academic notes that, while South Africa legally abolished segregation in 1994, most schools are still segregated on racial and socioeconomic lines. According to Amnesty International, “schools serving white communities” tend to be more properly resourced than those designed for (and predominantly attended by) students of color.

De facto segregation in South African schools prevents many children of color from accessing quality education. This, in many cases, serves as an obstacle for their attending university and acquiring skills to help them secure jobs. It also exacerbates the unemployment rate. The majority of South Africa’s population are people of color, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds due to Apartheid-era policies and, as a result, do not have access to key economic and educational opportunities. This makes the demand for certain jobs overwhelming.

Fighting Unemployment in South Africa

Several organizations are working to address South Africa’s high unemployment rate, focusing specifically on communities with disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

Ikamva Labantu is a nonprofit organization that supports community-led projects to harness the nation’s potential and improve the lives of its citizens. It works in townships across South Africa and holds the firm belief that communities can and should lead themselves — the organization only provides the support and resources they need to accomplish their goals. Ikamva Labantu consists of roughly 100 field workers who work at the individual level, focusing specifically on early child development and the well-being of the elderly. The organization partners with other NGOs, community-based organizations, government departments and donors to further their goals.

Siyabonga Africa also aims to reduce South Africa’s poverty rate, focusing specifically on employing disadvantaged people in need. It offers programs and courses to teach its clients the skills and knowledge they can use to become self-supported. Over the past year, Siyabonga Africa has provided 600 households with food vouchers, offered 700 training courses, established 100 home food-gardens and created 242 new jobs. It supports entrepreneurship at the grassroots level to alleviate poverty and unemployment rates in South Africa, creating more jobs for people in need.

Looking Ahead

Inequality and unemployment in South Africa are multifaceted problems rooted in a complex history. But with organizations like Ikamva Labantu and Siyabonga Africa working at the grassroots level to help disadvantaged South Africans become self-supported, the nation can reduce its high unemployment rate and close its gap of income inequality.

– Lana Swindle

Lana is based in Princeton, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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South African Women: The Young Women for Life Movement

South African WomenThe socioeconomic system set in place during South Africa’s apartheid era continues to pervade the country today. HIV’s disproportionate impacts Black South Africans, particularly women, is but one example. South African girls and women are disproportionately impacted by HIV due in part to gender- and race-based inequality. South Africa’s 2023 strategic plan for HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reports that nearly two-thirds of all new HIV infections occur in women.

According to the International Journal for Equity in Health, the low socioeconomic status of women, especially Black women, in the country places them at greater risk of contracting HIV. Poverty — which in South Africa is the result of historical inequalities — is a “significant factor” in the way HIV/AIDS spreads — the majority of people living with HIV/AIDS are experiencing poverty. In response, the Young Women for Life Movement works with girls and women who are affected by poverty, marginalization, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDs, helping them to “break free of the cycle of poverty and violence.”

Cape Town’s Young Women for Life Movement

The Young Women for Life Movement was founded in 2019 when 80 adolescent girls and young women came together in a backyard in Cape Town. The program receives support from the United Nations (U.N.) Women, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Southern Africa Catholics Bishops Conference and Peace Commission. With their support, the program has grown and, as of June 2024, has impacted 8,000 women and girls in South Africa.

Women can grow within the program as it provides financial literacy training, skills-building training in business and entrepreneurship, leadership dialogues and peer support through a network of women and girls who face similar circumstances. The Young Women for Life Movement “models a unique approach to building resilience against gender-based violence and HIV among young women,” stated U.N. Women HIV/AIDS Specialist Jacqueline Utamuriza-Nsizabira. The movement also helps women influence policy through advocacy. It has grown into a “powerful network for influencing policies,” Utamuriza-Nsizabira said.

Overcoming Stigma

According to a 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine, stigma and discriminatory attitudes against individuals with HIV are “persistent” throughout communities in South Africa, both urban and rural. HIV stigma in South Africa is correlated with HIV-affected individuals undergoing less medical treatment in terms of voluntary HIV antibody testing, palliative care and counseling — subsequently increasing HIV transmission. According to AVAC, HIV stigma is “deleterious to health-care use and delivery behaviors in South Africa.”

AVAC also stated that Black women living with HIV in South Africa experience significant trauma, with their positive HIV status adding further stress to their lives. Extreme cases of HIV stigma can manifest as violent behavior. The Madridge Journal of AIDS reports that stigma affects South African adolescent girls and women “socially, economically and mentally,” undermining their chances of seeking health care and improving their quality of life.

The Young Women for Life Movement helps girls and women “break through” this stigma and fear of discrimination, providing a sense of community where women and girls feel safe to disclose their HIV status and are encouraged to seek proper care. Program coordinator Phindile Maseko informed U.N. Women that some young women and girls in the Cape Town movement are living with HIV. “They were so discouraged when we met them that they had even stopped taking antiretroviral medication,” she said. But now, they have hope and are fighting for a better future.”

Overcoming the Cycle of Poverty

Maseko met Gugulethu Mdoba, who had gotten pregnant when she was 18 and struggled to raise her child, encouraging her to join the program. When Mdoba joined the Young Women for Life Movement, she sold baked goods to raise money to support her child. After gaining support and learning business skills through the program, she now has a bakery and recently began to teach other girls and young women how to bake.

“My business has grown a lot,” said Mdoba. “I have many customers now. I deliver my products to salons and shops. Sometimes I just walk a short distance and my muffins are sold out because people pre-order them and I deliver them the next day.” By providing girls and women with financial literacy, the initiative empowers them to access better health care and support services, which can improve their health outcomes and overall well-being. With increased economic stability, they are better equipped to confront and challenge stigma, reducing their social isolation and improving their ability to live openly and confidently.

Closing Thought

By empowering South African girls and women living with HIV/AIDS to break through stigma and the cycle of poverty, the Young Women for Life Movement promotes resilience, promotes better health outcomes and enhances their overall quality of life.

– Ahna Fleming

Ahna is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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South Africa’s Water Safety Issue

South Africa’s Water Safety IssueSouth Africa’s central water infrastructure is deteriorating below acceptable levels–its negative effects threatening the health and wellbeing of the nation’s poor.

The Hammanskraal Cholera Outbreak

In May 2023, 29 people died from contracting cholera in the region of Hammanskraal in South Africa. Cholera outbreaks have happened before in the country, but they usually occur in rural areas, not in city centers. Hammanskraal is only 20 miles away from South Africa’s capital Pretoria and is part of the Gauteng province that is known for its high level of urbanisation.

Piped water had the reputation for being the safest form of water compared to other improved water sources (public taps, protected boreholes/springs, rainwater) and surface water sources (rivers, ponds, irrigation channels) in South Africa.

The singular fact that a devastating cholera outbreak occurred in South Africa’s urban center indicated that the country’s water treatment infrastructure had deteriorated to a level that made it unreliable–signaling a scarcity of safe drinking water throughout the nation. The poor of South Africa, lacking the economic ability to access costly clean water, therefore face a serious health threat.

The Mismanaged South African Water System

The 2023 BlueDrop investigation found that 46% of the country’s water supply systems failed to prevent contamination of pathogens and bacteria. Many researchers find fault in the fact that 90% of the wastewater plants in South Africa are dysfunctional, unable to treat incoming wastewater and tragically releasing back “raw or partially treated sewage directly into the country’s already scarce water resource.”

The rural and poorest demographic relies on surface water for their drinking needs and therefore faces critical health threats. Even the demographic living in areas with piped water coverage faces similar health concerns due to the dysfunctional central water system of South Africa which has 47% of its distributed water leaking, providing opportunities for contamination, according to The Conversation.  Contaminated water can lead to outbreaks of diarrheal diseases that are especially lethal to the poor demographic who has limited access to appropriate medical services.

Professor Anja du Plessis writes in The Conversation, “Reactive management, lack of political will, transparency and unaccountability over the past two decades have contributed to the current state of affairs.” Expert opinion on South Africa’s water safety crisis is that it was a preventable crisis. More than technological limits or economic incapacities, South Africa’s water issue arises from management mishandling.

The Conversation reports that 67% of workers in the water treatment facilities did not receive appropriate training. There was also a significant underinvestment of governmental funds in the repair and maintenance of the water infrastructure. Out of 257 Municipalities, 151 reported being “close to collapse.” The Conversation also reports that there were no appropriate water quality monitoring systems that alerted consumers of detected contamination in the water distribution systems.

The Solution – Decentralized Water

Decentralized water systems are water systems that are smaller in scale, delivered by non-governmental organizations and often utilize local water sources for decentralized water harvest units. While centralized water systems are an efficient way to distribute water to plenty of individuals, their massive scale and complexity require costly investments and high-level expertise within the management to facilitate the system safely.

Murendeni Mafumo, CEO of Kusini Water, notes that municipal organizations do not have the financial ability to build new infrastructures, especially considering that they are even struggling to maintain the system for 5-6 million people in urban cities. He reflects that the best way to improve the water infrastructure is “through commercial companies.”

Commercial companies like Kusini Water are utilizing the relatively low cost of decentralized water treatment units and they can be run through off-grid renewable energy to independently install water treatment plants across vulnerable communities in South Africa. The rise of decentralized water technology is enabling innovative social entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact and improve South Africa’s water safety.

Mafumo explained to AfricaX that a decentralized treatment unit that supplies 300 Households may cost around $8,000 to install. Kusini Water subsidizes its operation by establishing business deals with large companies such as Red Bull or high-income households. It offers decentralized, clean water treatment units for office buildings and corporate events and subsidizes 20 liters of water for vulnerable communities for each liter of water it sells under the deal. This effectively “trickles down money” from high-income communities to low-income communities. The company uses a 3D-printed main body and sources the filtration modules locally to lower its costs. It also creates carbon filters through local macadamia nut shells and uses its nanofibers from a local university.

Conclusion

The mismanagement of the central water system of South Africa is threatening the health of poor communities. Central water systems being very large and complex makes management difficult and building new infrastructure in water-scarce areas challenging. The development of decentralized water system technology is enabling social entrepreneurs like Kusini Water to provide clean drinking water to communities that cannot afford it, holding a bright future for gradually solving South Africa’s water safety issue.

– Siwon Kim

Siwon is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Targeting Poverty and the Environment in South Africa

Environment in South AfricaUnemployment has been a persistent concern in South Africa. At the same time, South Africa is a water-scarce nation facing inconsistent rainfall, which disproportionately affects the country’s impoverished population. To address poverty and the environment in South Africa, the nation launched the Working for Water (WfW) program in 1995. This has expanded to larger environmental and social employment programs that are still effective today.

Impacts of the WfW Program

The WfW program hires unemployed persons to remove invasive plant species, thereby providing income while targeting pressing environmental concerns. These plant species deplete water resources in an already water-scare nation, limiting water supply for health and economic needs. In addition to water, the invasive plant species also threaten biodiversity and ecosystems. They contribute to soil erosion and obstruct grasslands used for livestock grazing. The program also has social targets, seeking to hire at least 5% disabled persons, 20% youth and 60% women, with baby chrèches provided for mothers with young children.

The program has successfully targeted poverty and the environment in South Africa. According to the South African government, 20,000 jobs have been created through the WfW program. Furthermore, 52% of participants were women. It has removed more than one million hectares of invasive plant species, which, as of 2010, has helped the nation retain more than 46 million cubic meters of water and prevent $22.7 billion of national income from being lost.

The Working for Energy Program

With the success of the WfW program, the government has rolled out additional “Working for” programs to target poverty and the environment in South Africa. One notable example is the Working for Energy program, which was inspired by the leftover biomass from the WfW program. This program focuses on providing low-income families with electricity generated from renewable sources.

The initiative is projected to generate 720 megawatts (MW) of electricity and create 50,000 jobs, demonstrating a sustainable approach to both energy production and economic development. In addition to Working for Energy, programs have been implemented targeting wetlands, fire, the coast and waste. In total, these programs are expected to create 230,000 public employment opportunities by 2025.

The Expanded Public Works Program

With the success of the “Working for” programs, the South African government established the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) following the Growth and Development Summit in 2003. This initiative continues to create employment opportunities under the summit’s goal of “more jobs, better jobs, decent work for all.” The EPWP targets additional sectors of the environment, which now runs the “Working for” programs, including Infrastructure, Social and Nonstate. The EPWP continues to be successful, having achieved its goal of the creation of one million jobs ahead of schedule in 2008.

Looking Ahead

Despite such successes, challenges lay ahead. Though the EPWP presents employment opportunities, larger structural concerns are at play. Unemployment rates have been rising in the last 20 years, currently sitting at 32.9%. Water shortages are also becoming increasingly common. Furthermore, though the expansion of EPWP can create some permanent employment, most of the jobs it provides for the unemployed are temporary.

The United Nations Development Programme claims that the program can benefit from additional skills training to help its beneficiaries switch into employment outside of the EPWP. However, the “Working for” programs and its continued development as the EPWP remains an innovative measure. It is frequently cited as one of the leading examples globally of simultaneously targeting poverty and environmental concerns.

– Imme Koolenbrander

Imme is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Action Against Period Poverty

Action Against Period PovertyA period is a natural part of any person with female anatomy’s life. It can be a constant financial burden for some since every month, a woman needs pads, tampons or other menstrual products. According to research done by PlushCare, a month’s supply of period products costs $7.30 in South Africa. While South Africa is not the most expensive, for those who experience a period but live in poverty, getting the necessary menstrual products can be difficult.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Women, 62.7% of impoverished women live in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. For those women living in poverty, having something every month that costs money and time can impact their lives greatly. Finding menstrual products for these women is a big struggle. However, Tamara Magwashu is working to make that struggle easier.

Magwashu War Against Period Poverty

Magwashu has been dealing with period poverty since she was a little girl growing up in the Eastern Cape province. When she was a little girl, Magwashu would have to take a week off of school when she had her period because she only had old rags to use. This means that Magwashu lost 12 weeks of education every year, missing out on potentially crucial parts of her education.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 30% of girls in South Africa did not attend school during their period. Growing up in poverty, Magwashu didn’t have full access to proper sanitary menstrual products and had to work to provide for herself and her family. Part of her income was put aside to buy sanitary pads rather than use the old rags. As time went on, Magwashu continued to work and eventually got a public relations degree from the University of Johannesburg.

Magwashu realized there was an issue involving young girls and access to period products. So, she decided to take action against period poverty and start a business focused on this issue. She faced many problems when trying to start this business, such as no bank wanting to give her a loan because she had no assets. Still, Magwashu persevered and launched Azosule in 2021. Azosule’s goal is to sell period products at an affordable price for those who need them and live in poverty.

Since starting the business, Magwashu has brought period products to many schools in her home area, providing products to last them six months. She works to expand her business to other schools and educate everyone on the reality of periods for impoverished women. Magwashu stated to BBC in 2023 that “Period poverty is not a women’s issue, it’s a societal issue.”

How Caity Cutter Was Inspired

Magwashu’s influence did not just end there; she inspired other young girls and women to take action against period poverty. Caity Cutter is one of those girls and, at just 12 years old, helped make a change in this societal issue. Cutter, who lives in Germany, was moved when she found out about period poverty in other countries. After reading about Magwashu, Cutter decided to do something to help. The young girl told her father about the issue and asked how they could help.

Her influence on her father pushed him to donate to Magwashu’s company. Michael Cutter saved up money from his job and made an overwhelming donation of 500,000 pads. Along with that, Magwashu stated that he made “further donations that went to us getting a warehouse and hiring staff to distribute the pads further.” This donation not only helps Azosule but also helps these young girls not have to miss school just because of their period.

– Tess Curran

Tess is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Increasing Access to Child Care in South Africa Supports Women

Child Care in South AfricaIn South Africa, women are disproportionately affected by unemployment, with the rate for women at 35.1% in 2023, compared to 31% for men. However, progress is being made in areas such as child care. Around 70% of care in Africa is provided by female relatives, with just 3% of care involving paid work. Africa has the highest amount of unpaid care work globally. This unpaid care work is a barrier to women’s participation in the labor force. Approximately 34% of women in Africa reported that unpaid care work prevented them from having a paid job, compared to 3.9% of men.

In South Africa, many waste pickers and domestic workers leave their children with neighbors as a form of child care. In Durban, a group of waste pickers collectively pays an elderly couple for child care, choosing this option for its affordability and flexibility in payment terms. The female caregiver accepts materials collected by the waste pickers as part of the payment. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, 68% of child care workers in South Africa said they were in danger of closing permanently due to rising costs. This threatened to decrease the number of child care options available further. However, different initiatives are addressing child care in South Africa.

Child Care South Africa

Child Care South Africa is one initiative aiming to provide quality child care in the country. Between 2017 and 2019, the Cash Plus Care (Qhawekazi) project was established to empower women aged 19 to 24. A total of 5,087 young women completed all 12 Cash Plus Care Empowerment sessions, highlighting the project’s extensive impact on their lives.

SmartStart

Furthermore, SmartStart provides communities in South Africa with access to high-quality early learning programs for children aged 3 to 4. About 80% of lower-income families in South Africa lack access to early learning for children younger than 5, making child care crucial not only for mothers but also for children’s futures.

One of SmartStart’s goals is to create a women-led care economy by empowering them to become early learning practitioners. Since 2015, a community of 9,000 practitioners has emerged. These Early Learning Practitioners are trained to secure government funding as microentrepreneurs.

South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Program

Started in 2004, South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) trains unemployed beneficiaries, mostly women, in areas such as day care activities. By 2015, approximately 20,000 care practitioners had been trained. Reports indicated that this scheme contributed to income growth more than any other similar project. Women particularly benefited from paid care work, as they represented 90% of the home-based care workers who participated in the program.

The ECCE Program

By 2030, the government in South Africa aims for all children aged 0 to 5 able to access an early childhood care and education (ECCE) program. The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (ECD) allows more women to have paid jobs because it alleviates the need for women to be responsible for child care during working hours. The following three benefits arise from supporting ECCE services:

  • More paid jobs in the care economy.
  • More women can form part of the labor force.
  • More assistance for children’s development.

The Future

The highlighted initiatives aim to increase the amount and quality of child care in South Africa. The additional support enables women to engage with the economy. This will improve the position of women while also benefiting the wider community and combating poverty by raising household income levels.

– Amy Fox

Amy is based in Birmingham, UK. and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Sweet Potato Flour as a Solution to Food Insecurity

Solution to Food InsecurityPoverty and especially rural poverty, is becoming an increasing problem in South Africa, as well as in the whole of Africa. This is leading to urbanization, food insecurity and joblessness. An estimated 20% of the African population is undernourished. In 2022, around 868 million people in Africa experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, while the total population of Africa was approximately 1.42 billion in the same year. Food insecurity can be attributed to poverty, extreme weather and conflict.

One Solution to Food Insecurity

Root and tuber crops, such as sweet potatoes, are important for food security. As a drought-tolerant crop, sweet potatoes are resilient in warm climates like those in sub-Saharan Africa. They are a staple food globally, especially in developing countries, providing affordable and accessible nutrition. Sweet potatoes hold great economic value in South Africa. However, after harvest, there is a limited time to determine when they are good to eat. They are harvested once a year and are ripe for a limited period.

InnoFoodAfrica

InnoFoodAfrica is a cross-continental project that aims to enhance food and nutrition security in Africa. As part of this project, researchers at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, have found a way to make orange-fleshed sweet potato last longer by making flour out of it. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Food Science candidate, Daddy Kgonothi, has been central in the development of this flour. The goal of the invention was to address micronutrient deficiencies among young children and pregnant women.

Sweet potato has a short shelf life of only two to three weeks. The flour, which is made from the same crop, has a shelf life of a whole year. Sweet potato contains beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of micronutrient deficiencies in children younger than 6 and among pregnant women. Sweet potato also contains a high level of fiber and antioxidants. This protects the body from free radical damage and promotes a healthy gut and brain.

Flour is also a good source of iron, zinc and phosphorus. When sweet potato is made into flour, it lasts longer, which can lead to more people getting their hands on the product. It is also versatile and can be used in many recipes, such as bread. This way, the flour can be a solution to deficiencies.

The Impacts of the Sweet Potato Flour

The flour is one solution to food insecurity in not only South Africa but also large parts of Africa. The development of the flour was finalized in 2022. It allows people to enjoy the nutrients and benefits of the crop all year long. Not only is the flour helping enhance general food insecurity in South Africa and the rest of Africa, but it is especially helping pregnant women and children eat more nutritious food.

– Sigrid Nyhammer

Sigrid is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay