Western Cape Agri Worker Household Census

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture this month released the Agri Worker Household Census report. The Census was taken over three years after the agriculture strikes in 2012, in order to identify and address the challenges facing agricultural workers. 

"Key figures from the census:

• 2 991 farms participated;

• 11 028 households surveyed;

• 42 928 residents covered;

• The majority of the respondents (31.2%) were aged between the ages of 19 – 34;

• In total, 45.1% earned an income of between R2500 and R49998.

• 5% of residents had obtained matric, and 1% had received tertiary education. The reasons residents gave for leaving school included no money for fees, and a feeling that education did not benefit them.

• In total, 57.3% of the households surveyed receive one or more social grants.

  Households said they needed assistance to deal with issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, foster care and child maintenance.

• Results indicated that the most common form of social participation for households was being part of a religious group (7816).

  At a far lower number, only 5.3% of households reported participation in Political parties or trade unions.