Indicators of Multiple Deprivations: A Comparative Analysis of Wards in Limpopo, South Africa

Abstract

This study aimed to assess and compare changes in poverty levels in the identified wards, using indicators of multiple deprivation. South Africa has grappled with the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality for more than two decades. The South African government has employed various poverty alleviation strategies in response to the structural causes of poverty, but it continues to exist. This paper presents a comparative  analysis of the poverty situation reported in 2006 and in 2011, using indicators of multiple deprivation. It was found that very few households have moved out of poverty and that the majority are in districts where levels of poverty are high. Detailed knowledge of poverty locations will assist policy makers and implementers to allocate resources effectively by targeting areas in dire need. By using indicators of multiple deprivation, municipalities can rank and prioritise community needs, and therefore assist policy makers to design targeted programmes that could assist in alleviating poverty.