Page 50 - Research Report 2025.1

Participant 1
“Some, they insure their homes. But, those that can do that, are only the middle class. But, it’s only the middle class who are able to to to ensure that, they they they they they preserve or protect their source of income. Otherwise, for the vulnerable groups and the poor, it’s not easy to protect their livelihood, especially during disasters.”
Collective Savings through Stokvels
Participant 5 noted that communities are relying on collective savings systems like Stokvels, where groups pool their financial resources together. These savings groups provide a form of financial security and allow people to accumulate funds for emergencies or investments. Initiatives like Save Act have become popular in areas like Matatiele and Mount Ayliff, where participants save money together to better manage financial risks.
Cooperative Models
Participant 5
“Our communities are able to group themselves together and form Stokvel’s. There are many Stokvel’s within and they are those small groups. As we’ve talked of Stokvel’s. There is Save Act, that I hear people talking about there are some in Matatiele, Mt Ayliff. Where people are able to save their money.”
Several participants emphasised the importance of cooperatives in supporting rural livelihoods. Participant 6 mentioned that cooperatives and trusts are common in the community, allowing people to work together to generate income. Participant 1 further explained that initiatives like the Zibambe Zingcine Mampondo recycling cooperative enable community members to earn money by selling recyclable materials. The municipality supports these cooperatives by providing management assistance, ensuring they operate as sustainable businesses.
Participant 6
It is, those groups and trusts. Yeah. Well, there’s our business entities. Yes. Your co-ops. So those are our local institution. Okay.
Participant 1
But we also at environmental services have a recycling cooperative called Zibambe Zingcine Mampondo where they work at the landfill site and recycle paper, card box, plastic, bottles, and things like that. They are able to sell that, to, buyers or recyclers, in cities, and they are able to put food on their table. As a, through those Migallelos and through those cooperatives that they have. Yes. And the municipality has helped them, in managing the cooperative as a business, so that they do not run at a loss.
Agricultural-Based Income Diversification
Agriculture remains a key source of income for many rural communities. Participant 2 described how small-scale farming, particularly by female farmers, has become a growing sector. These farmers sell their produce, such as sweet potatoes and amadumbes, to local markets and shops, helping to diversify their income sources. Participant 4 highlighted the importance of agriculture, noting that the availability of land and government support has allowed small-scale farmers to preserve their livelihoods.
Participant 2
“You would see an example here that, when you drive from the Wild Coast towards mbizana town Yeah. There’s an area there’s an area called Izikuba. Where people are sitting there. A lot of the females that sell your sweet potatoes, your amadumbes, your everything that they plough.”
Participant 4
“It’s farming. Majorly, it’s farming because even the the the
the abattoirs, those people who who have animals, all that is is under agriculture as a as a department or as a as a as a as a body. So that is basically what we can survive as this area. We have land that we can use for that. We have we have the the the entities, your government, your NGOs that can that are are specializing in that as well”
Craft Exhibitions
Participant 5 shared that craft exhibitions and festivals have provided opportunities for local artisans to showcase their work. These events, supported by development agencies and local municipalities, have allowed SMMEs to access larger markets and increase their sales. Exhibitions have also attracted potential funders, such as SEDA and DEDEAT, who can help identify gaps and provide additional support to local entrepreneurs.
Participant 5
“A few, but I would say a few of them now have now moved to agriculture in making sure that they are using their limited land now to explore the avenue of farming. So there are some SMMEs, and those very small, you know, small scale farmers that are emerging. I think they are trying really, they are really trying to preserve their sources of income and well-being.
We are seeing now even female farmers emerging. For example, here in Phuka, Mt Ayliff that is under Mzimvubu local municipality, we do have female farmers now that have tapped into this industry who are supplying shops like Box and Spur in Kokstad with their produce”.
48 | STUDY OBJECTIVE II