Die bemagtiging van die armes in informele behuisingsgemeenskappe in Mangaung

The serious situation of the poor calls for a new approach. The question is whether the poor can be empowered to alleviate their poverty themselves. In this study focus groups of inhabitants of informal settlements near Bloemfontein, South Africa, were interviewed to ascertain what they regard as their main problems and whether they feel that they can do anything about it. Based on the results it is then suggested that there is indeed the possibility of hope in a desperate situation, and that new hope for the poor opens doors for self-empowerment.