The Assessment of stokvels as a strategy of fighting hunger in Umzingazi area.
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Date
2021
Authors
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Publisher
Univeristy of Zululand
Abstract
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.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Arts in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.
Keywords
Stokvels, uMzingazi Area, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Poverty eradication