By: Sthulile Mdletshe
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has revealed that a significant number of households with children are headed by single mothers.
This is according to the 2024 General Household Survey, which examines living conditions, access to basic services, and social development indicators to inform government policy and planning.
The survey highlights notable provincial disparities, with KwaZulu-Natal recording the highest proportion of single-member households at 51.7%, followed by the Eastern Cape at 43.7%.
Stats SA’s Neil Roux noted that in rural areas, some children are growing up without either parent, often living with grandparents or extended family members.
This trend reflects ongoing challenges such as labour migration, socio-economic hardship, and the enduring effects of apartheid-era policies on family structures.
