Title: Livelihood patterns and dynamics among low-income households in the Eastern Cape province

Authors: Munacinga Simatele; Forget M. Kapingura

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Fort Hare, East London Campus, 50 Church Street, East London 5201, South Africa ' Department of Economics, University of Fort Hare, East London Campus, 50 Church Street, East London 5201, South Africa

Abstract: This paper discusses the nature of livelihood strategies within the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The analysis is based on a survey conducted among 2000 households throughout the province. Content and statistical analysis is used to summarise the results. The role played by government structures in the process of livelihood implementation is discussed. Links are drawn between local community resources and the diverse livelihood strategies that households engage in. The results show that there is a very weak link between resources in communities and associated livelihood strategies. Moreover, institutional structures tend to inhibit successful exploitation of such resources in some cases. Regulatory compliance and attendant costs also constrain participation in sustainable resource use.

Keywords: livelihoods; sustainability; Eastern Cape; poverty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2017.088804

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2017 Vol.8 No.4, pp.205 - 227

Received: 23 Feb 2017
Accepted: 22 Jun 2017

Published online: 19 Dec 2017 *

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