Livelihood Portfolios and Household Well-being in Rural South Africa

• In Event: 536 - Regular Session. Environmental Sociology 3

Abstract

Rural livelihoods in many portions of the developing world are characterized by complex, dynamic, and often vulnerable portfolios of activities. Within this paper, we identify patterns within the complexity of rural South African livelihoods. We then use that understanding to explore household well-being relative to the identified patterns of livelihood activities. Our specific outcome areas are food security and the use of natural resources, potentially an indicator of household challenges in meeting basic needs. We make use of a panel study embedded within the larger Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System in South Africa's northeast Mpumalanga Province. Findings reveal the centrality of social networks to well-being within this setting, and the continued vulnerability even of households with formal employment.

Authors

• Lori M. Hunter, University of Colorado, Boulder

• Wayne Twine, University of the Witwatersrand

• Miriam Counterman, University of Colorado

• Carly Ratekin, University of Colorado-Boulder

• Mark Collinson, University of the Witwatersrand