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Energy Demand and Race Explained in South Africa: A Case of Electricity

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  • David Mhlanga

    (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

  • Rufaro Garidzirai

    (Walter Sisulu University, South Africa)

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of race in the demand for energy in South Africa using electricity as a case study. The driving force behind the study was to establish whether race still plays a role in access to energy in the country, 26 years into democracy. The study’s contribution is premised on influencing the development of policy that addresses energy inequality in South Africa and the world at large. Using the logistic regression analysis, the study found that race still plays a role in the demand for energy in South Africa. The odds of demand for electricity for the White population was 46.748 per cent higher than that of Blacks, Colored, and Indians combined. Other significant variables were gender, age of household head, net household income per month in Rand and household size. Despite constituting much of the populace in South Africa, the demand for electricity of the Black population was third compared to other races. Such findings reflect the reality that many of the Black households are suffering from energy poverty. Given these results, it is recommended that the South African government invests more in energy and alternative sources of clean energy such as solar and wind which can cater for much of the population.

Suggested Citation

  • David Mhlanga & Rufaro Garidzirai, 2020. "Energy Demand and Race Explained in South Africa: A Case of Electricity," Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, Eurasian Publications, vol. 8(3), pages 191-204.
    • Handle: RePEc:ejn:ejbmjr:v:8:y:2020:i:3:p:191-204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Koomson, Isaac & Afoakwah, Clifford & Ampofo, Akwasi, 2022. "How does ethnic diversity affect energy poverty? Insights from South Africa," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    2. Ngarava, Saul & Zhou, Leocadia & Ningi, Thulani & Chari, Martin M. & Mdiya, Lwandiso, 2022. "Gender and ethnic disparities in energy poverty: The case of South Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    3. Koomson, Isaac & Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa, 2022. "Employment precarity and energy poverty in post-apartheid South Africa: Exploring the racial and ethnic dimensions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    4. Lin, Boqiang & Okyere, Michael Adu, 2023. "Race and energy poverty: The moderating role of subsidies in South Africa," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    5. Isaac Koomson & Michael Danquah & Edward Martey, 2023. "Ethnic diversity and financial inclusion in post-apartheid South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-119, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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