Care givers' perceptions about the purpose, uses and adequacies of the child support grant in Mfuleni Western Cape, South Africa: Implications for social policy
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Date
2020
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Western Cape
Abstract
This study investigates caregiver’s perceptions of the purposes, uses and adequacies of the
Child Support Grant (CSG) in Mfuleni (Cape Town, South Africa). Moreover, the research
was underpinned by the following research questions: What is the CSG intended for in South
Africa? To what extent does the CSG enable caregivers to use it? What is the perception of
caregivers with regards to the uses and purposes of the CSG in Mfuleni? What is the
perception of caregivers regarding their power and agency to influence policy in terms of
how the CSG should be structured (both in terms of benefit level and how it is administered)?
A model by DFID (2011) focusing on the causal pathway for cash transfers was used as the
conceptual framework for the study. Qualitative research methods were utilized to achieve
the aims of the study. Ten interviews and a focus group discussion comprising six caregivers
were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that
caregivers understood the CSG is proposed for children, households and being a source of
income for caregivers. Caregivers also revealed the CSG was utilized towards the basic needs
of children. Through the CSG many caregivers had agency and power in their household and
could establish small businesses.
Description
Masters of Commerce
Keywords
Child Support Grant, Caregivers,, Social protection, Adequacy, Mfuleni, Western Cape