Exploring the flow of maize in low-income urban neighborhoods: a case study of Alexandra township in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.

Abstract

Comprehending the flow of maize into low-income urban neighbourhoods is the core focus of this study. This is done by identifying the different systems of maize flow in low-income neighbourhoods, the nature of the flow, its strengths and challenges, and how the system operates. Following maize is valuable because it provides knowledge illuminating the popular and less popular supplies of maize that specifically serve people in poverty. Very few studies have done so. This dissertation is qualitative in nature and involves a case study of Alexandra township, a low-income neighbourhood in the city of Johannesburg. The dissertation draws on in-depth face-to-face and online interviews with 55 participants located in different parts of the maize system, including consumption, distribution, processing and production. Within these parts of the maize system are particular nodes, and in each node there are actors such as eaters, retailers, wholesalers, millers, sales agents and farmers. The interviews were complemented by observations of different nodes in the maize system and tracking of maize meal prices from different outlets and across popular brands. The dissertation highlights that there is a segment of the maize system which seems to be the most successful in making maize more accessible. This segment is characterised by the existence of medium-scale family-owned maize millers that bring in assorted brands of maize meal at competitive prices compared to corporate-owned maize millers. One brand of maize meal, Supergo, was found to be most preferred by the maize eaters in Alexandra due to its affordability and quality. Some local shops offer unique services which are not found in the main supermarkets, such as free credit and kinship. Small to medium-scale business owners try different strategies for their businesses to grow and gain market share. The study reveals the nature of the most important maize supplies used by the people living in poverty, which are already contributing to food security and have the potential to make a larger contribution, as well as bringing change in the maize system.