Mamabolo, MananaChaminuka, PetronellaMachethe, Charles Lepepeule2024-04-152023Manana Mamabolo, Petronella Chaminuka & Charles Machethe (2023) District analysis of poverty dynamics in rural South Africa, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 15:6, 690-704, DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2023.2178773.2042-1338 (print)2042-1346 (online)10.1080/20421338.2023.2178773http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95506The authors acknowledge use of data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), the Department of Planning Monitor- ing, and Evaluation (the data funding agency), Southern African Labour and Development Research Unit (implementer) and DataFirst (data distributor).The authors also acknowledge the 2022 PhD dissertation “Income Diversification and Poverty Dynamics in Rural Muni- cipalities of South Africa” by Manana Mamabolo from which this article was conceived. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83876)Persistent poverty is a major developmental challenge for South Africa and has multifaceted dimensions. This paper profiled and investigated poverty transitions among rural households in 22 district municipalities in South Africa. Foster-Greer-Thorbecke indices were applied to panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study from 2008 to 2017. Findings indicate that poverty levels varied across districts and poverty was most prevalent in Zululand, OR Tambo and Sisonke districts. Furthermore, districts with high poverty rates also had high poverty gap ratios. Poverty transition analyses revealed that in 82% of the districts, poverty declined between 2008 and 2017, while it increased in 13% of the districts. This transition was not mirrored between waves, with the majority of households remaining in the same poverty status between waves. The study recommends that these traditional rural districts be a major focus of poverty alleviation efforts. The role of the state in providing stability to combat poverty is encouraged through promotion of higher education. Additionally, support for agriculture as a business is also recommended. Collaborations between district municipalities and provincial departments of agriculture could facilitate this. The study adds to existing literature by providing insights from disaggregated profile and analysis of rural poverty in district municipalities.en© 2023 African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. This is an electronic version of an article published in African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 690-704, 2023. doi : 10.1080/20421338.2023.2178773. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rajs20.Foster-Greer-Thorbecke indicesHousehold poverty dynamicsPanel dataRural district municipalitiesSouth Africa (SA)SDG-01: No povertySDG-02: Zero hungerSDG-03: Good health and well-beingSDG-04: Quality educationSDG-05: Gender equalitySDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesPostprint Article