Work

Democracy Deferred: Working-Class Women, and Transport Injustice in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: There have been various reflections on the state of democracy and socio-economic rights since the end of formal apartheid in 1994, which was thirty years ago. This article focuses on KwaZulu-Natal and is based on in-depth interviews with women. The article aims to address the lack of understanding of the challenges faced by working-class women, who were expected to benefit the most from democracy, in South Africa. The findings reveal that the women interviewed in the article have to take care of their families and households by looking after children, partners, and other household members. Accessing and using transportation is an additional burden for these women as they face violence and sexual abuse when using different modes of transport. To add insult to injury, all modes of transport are expensive and inaccessible in the context where the women earn low wages. The findings imply that the South African and KZN governments need to address the transportation problem to alleviate the social and economic burden on the women interviewed for this research.

Source: Social Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/socsci14120684

Authors: Paddington Mutekwe, Mondli Hlatshwayo

Institution: University of Johannesburg

Language: English

Topic: South African History and Culture

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Gender equality, No poverty, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172