MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Just a Thought about the Million South Africans doing Volunteer Work

By

In the second quarter of 2011, about 1.2 million South Africans were involved in volunteer work, says Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

According to the Volunteer Activities Survey (VAS) – which collects data about people involved in volunteer activities and also aims to estimate the economic value of volunteer work – direct volunteering accounted for 53.9% of total volunteer work while 36.8 volunteered through organisations – such as church organisations.

The survey found that white people had a higher volunteer rate compared to other population groups.

The survey also found that women contributed about 256 million hours approximately over a 12 month-period, valued at 4.4 billion annually. Women volunteered at a high rate (4.3%) than men (2.6%).

“South Africans spent about 379 million hours on volunteer work over a 12-month period. Had this work been compensated, it would have cost R7.5 billion per annum,” said Chief Survey Statistician for Household Labour Market Statistics Malerato Mosiane on Tuesday.

The volunteer rate was highest among divorced/separated women and married women while those with higher levels of education volunteered more than their lesser educated counterparts. – BuaNews

Editor’s Notes: In our melanin obsessed world one wonders when the BEEE rules will be applied to volunteer work as well? 

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. For those without a regular income, the notion of remuneration for “volunteering” seems reasonable. I guess that it is easier to give away ones time when you have regular, paid employment/income.