How the poor responded to the increase in the price of food?: a case study of Pimville, Soweto
Date
2010-03-16T11:41:22Z
Authors
Joynt, Katherine
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Abstract
Abstract
This research report provides a case study on how the poor have responded to the
increase in the price of food since January 2008 in Pimville, Soweto, using a sample of
forty households. The respondent’s behavioural responses to the increases were either
‘offensive’ survival strategies such as food protests or ‘defensive’ household-level
strategies such as trying to cope by reducing food intake. The report argues that the
defensive strategies are unsustainable in the long-run as they lead to decreased nutrition
levels, hunger, a drop in the standard of living, debt, increased burdens on women to
maintain their households and intra-household conflict. These strategies have resulted in
a sense of isolation, neglect, disillusionment and anxiety, which, compounded with weak
community-based organisation, is contributing to social fragmentation and social unrest
in the community. The report concludes that the issue of increasing food prices needs to
be harnessed and channelled into inclusive community-level strategies through which the
poor can empower themselves.