COVID-19 and social protection

Four PhD students, two postdocs and the director contributed to a special issue of Development Southern Africa on COVID-19 and social protection in countries across Southern Africa. Giorgia Nicolò’s article examines perceptions of unemployment and the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant in rural South Africa, drawing on her fieldwork with Thobani Ncapai in the Eastern Cape. Doruk Işıkçı examined how civil society organisations in Cape Town responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on solidarity. Patience Masi examined the interactions between external donors and the government of Malawi in response to COVID-19. Lena Gronbach analysed the reform of payment systems in Namibia.

The special issue was edited by post-docs Hangala Siachiwena and Sikhanyiso Masuku, together with Prof Jeremy Seekings. The issue editors contributed an extended introduction on the COVID-19 pandemic and social protection. Hangala Siachiwena also coauthored an article on emergency cash transfers in Zambia. Jeremy Seekings contributed an article on the reform of workfare in Botswana during and after COVID-19.