Social Innovation, Livelihood Strategies and Social Work Policy

Under this area, Professor Tanusha Raniga (SARCHi in Welfare and Social Development at the CSDA) is the principal investigator of a study in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal together with Dr Maud Mthembu from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal as a collaborator. The study, titled “Single Mother Households, State Cash Transfers and The Economic Well-Being of Families During Covid Times: The Case of Mbazwana (Umkhanyakude District) KZN, South Africa,” aims to investigate the economic circumstances of single mother households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 single-mother households. The empirical evidence from the study was presented at the Postgraduate DAAD Symposium in July 2023.

This is an inter-country study titled Psychosocial and Economic Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Women Entrepreneurs: A Comparative Analysis of South Africa and Nigeria, which was conceptualised by Professor Raniga. The study builds on her current research agenda with Professor Ezeokoli (Babcock University). It qualitatively explores the psychosocial and economic impact of COVID-19 on women entrepreneurs in South Africa and Nigeria. Professor Ezeokoli plans to spend her sabbatical from August 2024 at the CSDA to contribute to the joint teaching of postgraduate students, writing workshops, facilitation of research workshops, and presentations based on her research in Nigeria.