This article was originally published as: Economic impact of the state old age pension: Experiences of older persons in Gauteng, South Africa
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Abstract
The study examined the socio-economic challenges faced by older persons who were beneficiaries of the state old age pension in Gauteng province, South Africa. This study utilised mixed methods where in-depth interviews were converted into quantitative values from 20 older persons who were purposively chosen as residents in the City of Johannesburg to address the objectives. This paper provides insight into the cost-benefit analysis of the state old age pension, mitigating poverty in older persons’ households, and income received from Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), and kin and non-kin systems that supplement family income in times of economic uncertainty. The capabilities theory formed the theoretical linkage. Findings revealed participants’ reflections on using monthly cash transfers to mitigate vulnerability to poverty and food insecurity. Recommendations were made for social workers to integrate developmental social welfare services with older persons to achieve social and economic justice. Social workers must advocate for additional funding to supplement the meagre old age pension and enhance partnerships with the government and civil society to achieve its goals of sustainable development.
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HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLERaniga, T. (2024). Economic Impact of the State Old Age Pension: Experiences of Older Persons in Gauteng, South Africa. African Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 259-267. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i5.4
Authors
- Tanusha RANIGA (Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)
Keywords
migration, old age pension, older persons, poverty, South Africa
References
References not available for this article.
