SHORT FILMS: COVID-19 impact on women’s economic and livelihood activities

The following short films were documented by Qina Mbokodo, a group of women on farms in uMgungundlovu District Municipality with the support from the Commonwealth Foundation. The films document how COVID-19 significantly reduced women’s economic and livelihood activities, increasing poverty rates and exacerbating food insecurity.

Thandi Mchunu, farmworker, her story highlights how wages and social grants for people living in farms do not cover the budget deficit many households on farms experience.

The story of Makhosi Nkosi, (farmworker) highlights that there’s something wrong with our food system which leaves farmworkers vulnerable to hunger yet they are the producers of our food.

The story of Dudu Mshengu (street trader) highlights how COVID-19 lockdown reduced her economic and livelihood activities, increasing food insecurity in her household.

Mini Myeza, small-scale producer was locked down home with a surplus of fresh produce with nowhere to sell when COVD-19 started.

The story of Wendy Molefe highlights how COVID-19 lockdown reduced her economic and livelihood activities, increasing food insecurity in her household.

Khanyo Ndlela faced income loss as a result of COVID restrictions and was assisted by AFRA to apply for the Solidarity Fund input voucher programme.