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Electricity as an energy source: The Impact and Effectiveness of Rural Electrification on Improving the Quality of Life of Households in Rural South Africa. "A Case Study of the Mount Ayliff District in the former Transkei" By Mabhelonke Marshall Sikrweqe Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for completion of the Degree of Master of Science, Urban and Regional Planning (Development Planning) in the Faculty of Community and Development Disciplines (CADD), Collaborating School of Development Studies (SODS) And School of Architecture, Planning and Housing University ofNatal-Durban December 2002 DECLARATION: This dissertation represents original work by me (Mabhelonke), the author, and has not been submitted in any other form to another university, other than the University of Natal-Durban. Where use has been made of the work of others it has been duly acknowledged and referenced in the text. However, the conclusions arrived at, are the independent critical thinking and interventions of the author. The research for this dissertation was performed in the School of Development Studies at the University of Natal-Durban. Research was undertaken under the supervision of Professor Julian May during the period January 2002 to December 2002. Y/~()03 .......'0/I.liD.~ ( .: . DEDICATIONS: This dissertation, as means of academic excellency, represents a remarkably good example and symbol of life, hence, dedicated to the following people: • To you my father, the late Pinkerton Langa Sikrweqe, a teacher by profession. My daddy I always know that you were passionate about education and you played a major role in the Department of Education, in the former Transkei (Eastern Cape), hence, your undisputed popularity in this regard, to everyone, will never be forgotten. Let me, let you know that you are still my role model and your endless spirit and soul still exist inside me. I shall never forget you and my entire life achievements and endeavours e.g. this dissertation, are all dedicated to you. • To my mother, Nontuthuzelo Thelma Sikrweqe, a teacher by profession. My mom, you are the only one who made my life possible by spending your money and abundance of financial resources. You supported me through difficulties, thus the dedication to you extremely worth it. • To my nieces Azile and Lwando; and nephew Oyama. This should be a good example and motivation for future. Every time you see this Academic Excellency your love of education as an investment for life must grow. Let you know that \\ Education is a key to successand a life time investment, hence, no one can take it away from you other than going with it to heaven when you die one day. // • To all my brothers and sisters Noxolo, Mbikazi, Siyabulela, Vuyo, Sonwabile, Sandile and Asanda. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The author would like to express his sincere and earnest thanks to a number of people and institutions that have made the completion of this study possibly a success: • To the National Research Foundation (NRF, South Africa), for their financial assistance; • To my supervisor, Professor Julian May for his constructive criticism, advise, support and any interventions during the course of this study; • To members of staff in the School of Development Studies (SODS) and Town Planning Department- University of Natal-Durban, especially the Secretaries, Ms Lesley Anderson and Ms Samantha Nipper, and also the Financial Administrator in SODS, Ms Kanagie Naidoo, for their tireless and friendly support all the time; • To members of local communities and the municipality of the area-wide Mount Ayliff District (Alfred Nzo District Municipality) for their valuable time and support in my fieldwork research; • To my lecturer, friend and mentor, Dr Harald Witt for his generosity, hospitality and believing in me. He went out of his way and played a major role as a fatherly figure in my life at the University; • To the Tanner Family, Mark and Gita (Oliver's Caterers, University of Natal­ Durban, 1998... till then) and children Diane, Oliver, Matthew and Laura for being a family to me and for their hospitality and providing me with a home when I was in need during the compilation of this dissertation. However, they deserve more than words can say, indeed; • To my Secondary School principal, Mr Goodman Mzwandile Mpiti for his valuable support in my studies; • To the Giwu Family, especially Dennis Malixole and Vuyo Giwu, for their kindness and moral support during my study period; • To my mother, Nontuthuzelo Thelma Sikrweqe (Bhuku-Sinqashe) for believing and taking an investment chance on me all the time; • To my lovely sister, Mbikazi Sikrweqe for her motivation, moral support, assistance and having faith in me each an everyday of my life; • To my cousin-brother, Ntandazo Hlopoyiya-Sifolo (Sinqashe) for his generosity, hospitality and motivation during the pursuit of our studies at the University of Natal; • To my companion, Khuthala "K'tee" Ntuli for her inspiring moral-enhancing impetus, later in this study. Nonetheless, all her tenderness is highly appreciated; and • To all my friends out there, for their undivided support and having faith in me. More especially, Mr John Karumbidza who helped me when I was doing the final editing of the document. TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration Dedications Acknowledgements CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Page 1.1. Introduction 1 1.2. Background To Problem 1 1.3. Objectives 2 1.4. Chapters Outline 4 CHAPTER TWO THE THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION 2.1. Introduction 5 2.2. Rural Development 5 2.3. Basic Needs 7 2.4. Energy as a Basic Need 8 2.4.1. Energy Role and Functioning in Rural Areas 9 2.4.2. Energy Security " 10 2.5. Sources of Energy and Consumption Patterns 11 2.5.1. Prevalence ofDifferent Fuels 11 2.5.2. Consumption Patterns 11 2.6. Rural Electrification 15 2.6.1. The Role and Impacts ofDomestic Electricity 17 2.7. Conclusion 20 CHAPTER THREE POVERTY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA 3.1. Introduction ···· ················· 21 3.2. Defining Poverty · ··················.21 3.3. Basic Poverty Profile of the Eastern Cape 22 3.4. A Case Study of the Mount Ayliff District: Poverty and Underdevelopment 25 3.4.1. The Study Area ······· .. ·· .. ··· .. ·.. · 25 3.4.2. Basic Statistics on Poverty Profile 27 3.5.Conclusion 29 CHAPTER FOUR RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4.1. Introduction 30 4.2. Secondary Sources ofData 30 4.3. Primary Sources of Data 31 4.4. Research Process and Timeframe 32 4.5. Scope and Limitations of the Study 34 4.6. Conclusion 34 CHAPTER FIVE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN SOUTH AFRICA: Is the Quality of Life in Households Improved? 5.1. Introduction 35 5.2. The Impact of Electricity on Household Domestic Activities 36 5.2.1. Electrified Households with Schooling Children Vs Unelectrified Households with Schooling Children ,,36 11 5.2.2. Electrified Households With Illiterate Households Members Vs Unelectrified Households With Illiterate Household Members .40 5.2.3. Electrified Single Female-Headed Households Vs Electrified Single Male-Headed Households and Electrified Households With Unemployed Household Heads .44 5.2.4. Electrified Households Running a Business Vs Unelectrified Households Running a Business 47 5.2.5. Electrified Households Using Electricity Only Vs Unelectrified Households Using Alternative Sources and Electrified Households Using Complementing Sources......51 5.3. Summary of Community Perceptions of Electricity 55 5.3.1. Economic Viability ofElectricity 56 5.3.2. Quality ofElectricity 57 SA.General Community-Wide Benefits from Electricity 58 5.4.1. Advantages/Opportunities Electricity Brings to Children 58 5.4.2. Advantages/Opportunities Electricity Brings to Women 58 5.4.3. Advantages/Opportunities Electricity Brings to Men 59 5.4.4. Advantages/Opportunities Electricity Brings to Old People 59 5.4.5. General Advantages Experienced By the Community [Positive Externalities} 59 5.4.6. General Disadvantages Experienced By the Community [Negative Externalities} 60 S.S.Electricity as a Basic Need 61 5.6.Conclusion 62 CHAPTER SIX RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 6.1. Recommendations 64 6.1.1. Integrated Rural Development Approach 64 6.1.2. Public Works Programmes ' " 65 III 6.1.3. Speedy Delivery of Services 66 6.1.4. Accountability ofLocal Authorities 66 6.1.5. Quality Service Providers 67 6.1.6. Education 68 6.1.7. Domestic Division ofLabour. 69 6.1.8. Employment Creation 70 6.1.9. The Environment. 70 6.1.10.Monitored Liquor Selling 71 6.2. Conclusion 71 BIBLIOGRAPHY. ~ ; 73 APPENDICES List of Appendices Appendix 1: Basis for Argument (Pre-research Speculations) Page 77 Appendix 2: Fieldwork Research-Interview Questions Page 80 TABLES List of Tables Table 2.1. : Objectives ofRural Electrification Page 16 Table 3.1. : Unemployment Levels in the Rural Districts ofthe Eastern Cape Page 24 (Formal sector) Table 3.2. : Percentage ofRural Africans Living in Poverty Page 24 Table 4.1. : Household Types and Number ofInterviews per Group Page 32 FIGURES List of Figures Figure 1. : Location of the Study Area: The Mount Ayliff District (Eastern Cape) .. .....Page 26 IV CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1. INTRODUCTION According to the Energy for Development Research Centre (EDRC)- Horvei and Dahl (n.d), "... it is important to understand that underprivileged people of South Africa consider access ) to electricity a symbol of rights previously denied them. In essence, the electrification of the homes ofthe poor is becoming an increasingly important issue within development debates in South Africa. Presently, progress is being made to electrify the homes of hundreds of ~ thousands of South Africans who were previously denied access as a result of the racially "' f.. based structure of the electricity supply industry". Indeed, the RDP (ANC, 1994:31) states \ that rural electrification has been largely ignored, except for commercial white farms. It also states that future energy policy must concentrate on the provision of energy services to meet the basic needs for the poor households.

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