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IOL News
28-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Women-headed households surge in South Africa, Stats SA reveals
Statistics South Africa has revealed that 42.4% of households are headed by women. Image: Yan Krukau / Pexels More than two-fifths (42.4%) of households in South Africa were headed by women in 2024, Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) general household survey has revealed. This is amid the persistent gender pay gap and the rise in the unemployment rate in the country. According to the latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, South African women are paid between 23% and 35% less than men. According to the survey, the situation was most common in rural areas, particularly in the Eastern Cape (48.8%) and KwaZulu-Natal (46.8%). Women-headed households were least common in Gauteng (37.3%). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The household survey, which provides a snapshot of progress achieved in basic government services and identifies persistent service delivery gaps, was released on Tuesday. 'Families and households are profoundly important to the developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth of children, and parents and/or caregivers can play a central role in the development of children,' said Stats SA. The report found that a third (31.4%) of children lived with both parents, while 45.5% lived with only their mothers. More than one-tenth (11.7%) were orphaned, having lost one or both parents. Almost one-fifth (18.8%) of children lived with neither of their biological parents. More than one-quarter (26.9%) of households consisted of a single person, while 39.4% were nuclear households comprising parents and children. The skip generation households, in which grandparents lived with grandchildren, comprised 4.2% of all households. 'The latter was most common in the Eastern Cape (7.7%) and Limpopo (6.9%),' read the report. According to Stats SA, the number of individuals receiving social grants increased from 12.8% in 2003 to 30.9% in 2019. The number surged to 40.1% in 2024 due to the introduction of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD). 'Compared to 2019, a much higher percentage of youth received grants in 2024 after the age of 18 due to the introduction of SRD.' The percentage of households that considered social grants as the main source of income increased steadily from 21.3% in 2009 to 28.8% in 2020, before falling back to 23.8% in 2024. Grants were particularly important as a main source of income for households in the Eastern Cape (38.9%), Northern Cape (34.4%), and Limpopo (33.8%). In terms of medical aid access, approximately three out of 20 South Africans had access to a medical aid scheme in 2024. Coverage slightly declined from 15.9% in 2002 to 15.5% in 2024. The highest coverage rates were in Western Cape (25.4%) and Gauteng (21.3%), while the lowest were in Limpopo (10.0%) and KwaZulu-Natal (10.2%). The survey shows that the percentage of households that lived in formal dwellings increased from 73.5% in 2002 to 84.1% in 2024. Nationally, three-fifths (60.1%) of households owned the dwelling they lived in. A further 25.1% rented their dwellings. Between 2002 and 2024, the percentage of households with access to piped or tap water in their dwellings, off-site or on-site, increased by 3.3 percentage points to 87.7%. Households with access to piped water in their dwellings increased from 40.4% to 46.4%. Access to improved sanitation, flush toilets, and pit toilets with ventilation pipes increased from 61.7% in 2002 to 83.1% in 2024. Approximately two-thirds (66.7%) of households used flush toilets (up from 57.3% in 2002), while 16.3% used pit toilets with ventilation pipes (up from 4.4% in 2002). Less than one percent of households did not have access to any form of sanitation. While 46.2% of toilet facilities were located in the dwelling, 49.9% were located in the yard. Cape Times
IOL News
28-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Surge in women-headed households in South Africa amid economic challenges
Statistics South Africa has revealed that 42.4% of households are headed by women. Image: Yan Krukau / Pexels Amid the persistent gender pay gap and the rise in unemployment in the country, more than two-fifths (42.4%) of households in South Africa were headed by women in 2024, Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) general household survey has shown. According to the latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, South African women are paid between 23% and 35% less than men. According to the survey, the situation was most common in rural areas, particularly in the Eastern Cape (48.8%) and KwaZulu-Natal (46.8%). Women-headed households were least common in Gauteng (37.3%). The household survey, which provides a snapshot of progress achieved in basic government services and identifies persistent service delivery gaps, was released on Tuesday. It found that a third (31.4%) of children lived with both parents, while 45.5% lived with only their mothers. More than one-tenth (11.7%) were orphaned, having lost one or both parents. Almost one-fifth (18.8%) of children lived with neither of their biological parents. More than one-quarter (26.9%) of households consisted of a single person, while 39.4% were nuclear households comprising parents and children. The skip generation households, in which grandparents lived with grandchildren, comprised 4.2% of all households. 'The latter was most common in the Eastern Cape (7.7%) and Limpopo (6.9%),' read the report. 'Families and households are profoundly important to the developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth of children, and parents and/or caregivers can play a central role in the development of children." The unemployment rate currently stands at 32.9%, and this could push many South Africans towards social grants. According to Stats SA, the number of individuals receiving social grants increased from 12.8% in 2003 to 30.9% in 2019. The number surged to 40.1% in 2024 due to the introduction of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD). 'Compared to 2019, a much higher percentage of youth received grants in 2024 after the age of 18 due to the introduction of SRD.' The percentage of households that considered social grants as the main source of income increased steadily from 21.3% in 2009 to 28.8% in 2020, before falling back to 23.8% in 2024. Grants were particularly important as a main source of income for households in the Eastern Cape (38.9%), Northern Cape (34.4%), and Limpopo (33.8%). In terms of medical aid access, approximately three out of 20 South Africans had access to a medical aid scheme in 2024. Coverage slightly declined from 15.9% in 2002 to 15.5% in 2024. The highest coverage rates were in Western Cape (25.4%) and Gauteng (21.3%), while the lowest were in Limpopo (10.0%) and KwaZulu-Natal (10.2%). Cape Argus
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Women-headed households surge in South Africa, reveals Stats SA survey
Statistics South Africa has revealed that 42.4% of households are headed by women. Image: Yan Krukau / Pexels More than two-fifths (42.4%) of households in South Africa were headed by women in 2024, Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) general household survey has revealed. This is amid the persistent gender pay gap and the rise in the unemployment rate in the country. According to the latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, South African women are paid between 23% and 35% less than men. According to the survey, the situation was most common in rural areas, particularly in the Eastern Cape (48.8%) and KwaZulu-Natal (46.8%). Women-headed households were least common in Gauteng (37.3%). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The household survey, which provides a snapshot of progress achieved in basic government services and identifies persistent service delivery gaps, was released on Tuesday. 'Families and households are profoundly important to the developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth of children, and parents and/or caregivers can play a central role in the development of children,' said Stats SA. The report found that a third (31.4%) of children lived with both parents, while 45.5% lived with only their mothers. More than one-tenth (11.7%) were orphaned, having lost one or both parents. Almost one-fifth (18.8%) of children lived with neither of their biological parents. More than one-quarter (26.9%) of households consisted of a single person, while 39.4% were nuclear households comprising parents and children. The skip generation households, in which grandparents lived with grandchildren, comprised 4.2% of all households. 'The latter was most common in the Eastern Cape (7.7%) and Limpopo (6.9%),' read the report. The unemployment rate currently stands at 32.9%, and this could push many South Africans towards social grants. According to Stats SA, the number of individuals receiving social grants increased from 12.8% in 2003 to 30.9% in 2019. The number surged to 40.1% in 2024 due to the introduction of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD). 'Compared to 2019, a much higher percentage of youth received grants in 2024 after the age of 18 due to the introduction of SRD.' The percentage of households that considered social grants as the main source of income increased steadily from 21.3% in 2009 to 28.8% in 2020, before falling back to 23.8% in 2024. Grants were particularly important as a main source of income for households in the Eastern Cape (38.9%), Northern Cape (34.4%), and Limpopo (33.8%). In terms of medical aid access, approximately three out of 20 South Africans had access to a medical aid scheme in 2024. Coverage slightly declined from 15.9% in 2002 to 15.5% in 2024. The highest coverage rates were in Western Cape (25.4%) and Gauteng (21.3%), while the lowest were in Limpopo (10.0%) and KwaZulu-Natal (10.2%). The survey shows that the percentage of households that lived in formal dwellings increased from 73.5% in 2002 to 84.1% in 2024. Nationally, three-fifths (60.1%) of households owned the dwelling they lived in. A further 25.1% rented their dwellings. Between 2002 and 2024, the percentage of households with access to piped or tap water in their dwellings, off-site or on-site, increased by 3.3 percentage points to 87.7%. Households with access to piped water in their dwellings increased from 40.4% to 46.4%. The percentage of households with access to municipal water increased from 78.4% in 2004 to 79.8% in 2024, an increase of 6.3 million households. Access to improved sanitation, flush toilets, and pit toilets with ventilation pipes increased from 61.7% in 2002 to 83.1% in 2024. The largest increases were observed in the Eastern Cape (56.5%), Limpopo (35.3%), and KwaZulu-Natal (26.9%). Approximately two-thirds (66.7%) of households used flush toilets (up from 57.3% in 2002), while 16.3% used pit toilets with ventilation pipes (up from 4.4% in 2002). Less than one percent of households did not have access to any form of sanitation. While 46.2% of toilet facilities were located in the dwelling, 49.9% were located in the yard.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Taming the teen storm: SADAG launches free support group for parents
Parenting a teenager is undoubtedly challenging, but it doesn't have to feel impossible. Image: Yan Krukau /pexels We've all been teenagers before. It's easy to remember the growing pains, emotional outbursts, and moments when we felt misunderstood. But what happens when it's your turn to parent a teenager, especially one struggling with emotional and behavioural challenges? It's a reality many South African families face, and it comes with its own set of difficulties. Parenting is often described as one of life's most rewarding journeys, but it's also one of the most challenging. When your child is troubled, the weight of it can feel unbearable, especially in family dynamics that are already stretched thin, like single-parent households or child-headed families. The stigma surrounding mental health can make things worse, leaving parents feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn. When a teenager is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, it's not just their problem, it's a family problem. Trauma, anxiety, and stress rarely stay contained to one person. Parents, siblings, and even extended family members can feel the impact. Jacob Thomason, a family therapist at New Vision Wilderness, explains that when you have emotional, behavioural, and mental health challenges around you, any trauma that happens isn't contained to one person. Family members will be affected.' In response to this overwhelming need for support, SADAG has launched an Online Mental Health Support Group specifically for parents of teenagers with behavioural issues. Image: Liza Summer /pexels Parents, in particular, often bear the brunt. They feel a societal pressure to "fix" their child, and if they can't, they may see it as a personal failure. This guilt can be debilitating. Siblings, on the other hand, may feel overlooked, as the focus of the household shifts entirely to the struggling teen. This imbalance can breed resentment, anxiety, and feelings of isolation within the family unit. Here are some common challenges families face when a teenager is struggling: Parents and siblings may constantly worry about saying or doing something that could upset the teen. Family members may become irritable, leading to more frequent arguments. Sleep disturbances and appetite loss may become common. Household chores and responsibilities can feel overwhelming as emotional exhaustion sets in. Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can develop in parents and siblings, or existing conditions may worsen. In some cases, substance use becomes a coping mechanism, potentially leading to substance use disorders. The mental load of parenting a teen with emotional or behavioural issues can leave parents feeling burned out. Beyond the emotional strain, there are financial pressures, relationship challenges, and work-life imbalances to navigate. As Tselane, a support group leader for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), explains: 'Many parents express frustrations because of their teenager's behaviour. I believe this Support Group will help those parents to understand their children better, as other parents share their challenges and experiences. "Moreover, they'll learn different ways to work with their children to support them and themselves.' Finding support through SADAG To help parents cope, SADAG has launched an Online Mental Health Support Group for Parents of Teenagers with Behavioural Issues. This initiative offers a safe and compassionate space for parents to connect, share their stories, and develop practical strategies to manage their unique challenges. 'This Group is a place to let the worry, the constant second-guessing, and exhaustion go,' says Tselane. 'You'll meet other parents who've lived through the shouting, the silence, and the sleepless nights. Together, you'll share tips that help, and maybe for the first time in a while, you'll realise that you don't have to do this alone.' The first meeting will take place on Monday, May 12 at 6pm, with sessions continuing on the first and third Monday of each month. If you're interested in joining, you can contact Tselane on 065 929 6242. For more information about other support groups or mental health resources, visit call 0800 21 22 23, or SMS 31393 to speak to a counsellor. South Africa's diverse family structures mean that mental health challenges can manifest in unique ways. For single mothers, the struggle often lies in juggling financial and emotional responsibilities alone. In child-headed families, where older siblings take on parental roles, the pressure can be immense. These scenarios make resources like SADAG's Support Groups even more vital. Parenting a teenager isn't easy. But with the right support, it doesn't have to feel impossible. Whether you're a single mom, a grandmother stepping in as a caregiver, or a sibling trying to hold things together, you're not alone. Help is out there, and it starts with reaching out.
