Abstract
Background: The loss of jobs and livelihoods resulting from the implementation of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic propelled the South African government to introduce the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. Although evidence shows some positive impacts of social grants in terms of creation of livelihoods and access to food and basic needs, there is a paucity of research on the impact of the additional SRD grant on households’ ability to create or diversify livelihood strategies and achieve adequate food consumption from the perspective of women, particularly those living in rural areas.
Aim: Hence, the study sought to compare views of the impact of social grants on livelihood strategies and household food security of women in Benfarm Village, Limpopo who were beneficiaries of social grants and those who received the additional SRD grant.
Method: Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods approach, the study employed a comparative case study design located in a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 women beneficiaries of social grants and 10 women beneficiaries of social grants who received the additional SRD grant. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews and were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings: Both groups mentioned employment, social grants and remittances as main sources of household income. In terms of food insecurity coping strategies, both groups referred to subsistence farming, borrowing food items from neighbours, and buying food on credit from local shops. In respect of livelihood strategies, both groups participated in formal livelihoods, agricultural livelihoods, and informal livelihoods to generate income. When asked about the significance of rural women’s participation in livelihood strategies, both groups mentioned reduced reliance on social grants and enhanced decision-making in households. With regard to the views of the impact of social grants on livelihood strategies and household food security, the group that did not receive the SRD grant said that they ensured guaranteed income when livelihoods are affected. This group however, had mixed views on the impact of social grants on livelihood strategies as some participants said they enabled the creation of livelihoods while some said that they did not enable livelihoods development. The group that received the SRD grant highlighted the fact that this additional grant empowered household members who were not receiving social grants, however, it had limited impact on livelihood strategies. Both groups felt that social grants make a difference in households with poor sources of income.
Conclusions: Results suggest that social grants do not have a significant impact on livelihood strategies in households that have access to stronger sources of income such as formal employment, while they exert some impact on household food security in households that only depend on social grants. The SRD grant can empower those who do not have any other source of income but has limited additional impact on livelihood strategies.