Poverty, Politics and Health

South Africa is currently experiencing high levels of poverty, increasing unemployment and widening social and economic gaps between the wealthy and poor of all racial groups. This study focuses on four racially demarcated areas within the capital city, Pretoria, and offers survey data and qualitative illustrations of day-to-day hardship and ordinary people's efforts to sustain the continuity of households and familial relations. Additionally, attention is paid to descriptions of health and perceptions of the post-apartheid state's commitment to transform the socio-economic existences of indigent communities. It is shown that whilst sectors of the poor acknowledge positive changes to their lives, many view themselves as marginalised and disengaged from active forms of citizen participation. The comparative focus on African, white, coloured and Indian communities highlights particular challenges and South African realities. This book will be of interest to researchers working in the field of poverty and who wish to draw on contemporary South African comparative case study material.