Browsing by Author "Dlamini, Makhosi Charity"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Assessment of stokvels as a strategy of fighting hunger in Umzingazi area.
    (Univeristy of Zululand, 2021) Dlamini, Makhosi Charity
    Stokvels are informal social gatherings formed by people who have the same interest in saving to attain certain goals. These gatherings are usually formed by friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues with the aim of saving money on a monthly basis in order to sustain a living. The intention of this study was to investigate and give insight into how stokvel groups contribute to poverty eradication in rural communities, focusing on uMzingazi Area, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Fighting hunger is a long-term process; thus, the researcher applied the sustainable livelihood approach in assessing stokvels as a strategy of fighting hunger. The sustainable livelihoods approach was applied to facilitate the identification of practical priorities for actions that were based on the views and interests of those concerned although they are not a panacea. The study was conducted in a qualitative manner. The participants were selected by means of snowball sampling. The data was gathered using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in order to understand the lived experiences of members of the stokvels. The findings established that stokvel groups play a substantial role in the reduction of hunger and poverty in communities. Significantly, these stokvel groups help members to save money and gain skills in budgeting. Women were predominant in the savings, burial and high-budget stokvels while men predominated in the investment stokvels. Amongst these groups, it was found that members preferred women as members of their groups due to their dedication and hard work. Women feared to involve men in their stokvels as they feared being victims of crime as most crimes were committed by men. Furthermore, the findings also revealed that stokvel members not only benefit financially but they become like family members with each other. The strength and moral support shared in a burial stokvel mostly kept them going for many years.