Browsing by Subject "low-income communities"

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    Open Access
    On REIPPPP: Exploring the potential of intermediaries to support the implementation of the programme's socio-economic development obligations in low-income communities
    (2021) Mgxashe, Phumeza; Wlokas, Holle; Zolfaghari, Badri
    This research explores the potential role of intermediaries in the implementation of socioeconomic development (SED) benefits through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP) in low-income communities. SED benefits are a procurement requirement that forms part of REIPPPP's Economic Development scorecard and are required to be implemented in identified beneficiary communities, with the aim of improving livelihoods in such communities. Literature points to the fact that, community development is not a function of the private sector and that intermediaries can have success in partnering with communities in their quest for development. This research is approached through a qualitative inductive study of a case study. The case study is Project90by2030, a not-for-profit organisation (NPO) and public benefit organisation (PBO) that is focused on the mobilisation of and advocacy for clean energy in energy poor lowincome communities. The research pays attention to the organisation's community development approach and what possible learning benefits there could be for the REIPPPP. Interviews were held with community participants and facilitators of the Community Partnership Programme of the organisation. The research finds that low-income communities experience exclusion and inequality and identifies the agents of the said exclusion and inequality. This thesis argues that intermediaries can play an important role to bridge inequality of agency and other power dynamics that work to the detriment of the empowerment of low-income communities. It concludes that socio-economic community development is a contribution to society that business should pursue, with the support of intermediaries and with local government as a key strategic partner.
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    Open Access
    The modern spaza: how can e-commerce support spaza shops in achieving the six dimensions of food security in a low-income area?
    (2024) Konz, Jade Carey; Battersby, Jane
    South Africa (SA) is facing a food insecurity crisis, with those in low-income areas severely affected by multiple forms of malnutrition. Low-income communities rely on neighbourhood spaza shops to meet their shopping needs, yet they are also sources of obesogenic, highly processed foods. The emergence of e-commerce as a new component of the food system, driven by increased internet and smartphone access in low-income communities, presents an opportunity to explore its potential impact on food security. This research therefore examines how e-commerce can support spaza shops in achieving the six dimensions of food security. A case study was undertaken in Mitchells Plain with a spaza shop e-commerce provider – ‘The Company'. Interviews were conducted with nine foreign owned spaza shops, two employees of The Company on multiple occasions, and field notes were taken to evaluate the role of spaza shops in both supporting and undermining food security. The findings indicate that despite retailing high levels of processed foods, spaza shops contribute in varying degrees to all the food security dimensions, but the current impact of e-commerce in this sphere is minimal. The research highlights challenges faced by The Company, such as high levels of competition in the wholesaler market, limited access to economies of scale, as well as the significance of competitive pricing and product range availability on spaza shops' purchasing decisions. Serving the foreign spaza sector presents additional challenges related to the digital divide, language barriers, and the nature of informality. The thesis finds that The Company supports the spaza shop industry however it does not directly improve the spaza's ability to meet the existing six dimensions of food security. Further investigation is required to evaluate the potential benefits of e-commerce for South African owned spaza shops.