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Most household heads appear to have interest in maintaining less number of people in their
respective households. The demographic pattern could be attributed to numerous factors
among which include economic and social incapacity of most households. The study
confirms a big gap in terms ofsalary disparity between workers. Noted with great concern is
a post-apartheid income disparity trend among people of the same colour (i.e., blacks who
were all previously disadvantaged).
In terms of differences between the 5 spatial units chosen for this research, A Section
registered the highest level of unemployment. B South Section had only 2% unemployment
reported cases. Section C had no unemployment case. Majority ofthe household heads were
in the R6001 and above (32%) and R3001 - R6000 categories in B North. The modal
category was the most highly paid being R6001 and above (36%). The relatively high
unemployment level in Section A should influence policy direction ofthe Local Municipality
about the need to introduce more poverty alleviation projects.
Four in every five women in the Mbhoshongweni rural area are unemployed and mostly
depend on government child support and pension grants for survival. The majority of the
people (Over 50%) residing in Mbhoshongweni, Mtikini and Mbangayiya are primary and
high school drop outs, unemployed high school leavers and those of school-going age. Most
of these people described above are women. Many young girls have become mothers to
qualifY for child support grant.
In the Mkhazane rural community, about two in every five households have mothers ofschool
going age. The child support grant the government administers has given impetus to this
behaviour of teenage pregnancy in the rural community of Mkhazane. The original intent of
this policy of child support grant has been abused and the plight of the poor has worsened
over time with more mouths to feed in the rural households ofMkhazane.
Only two registered non governmental organizations are known to be officially operating in
these rural areas of Mbhoshongweni, Mtikini, Mabedlane Mkhazane and Mbangayiya.
namely Mthombo Wempilo Ngo (H1V/Aids home based support) and Siyaziya Trust
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