Acornhoek

Acornhoek is an impoverished semi-rural community in the province of Mpumalanga. Bordering Mozambique to the east and the South African province of Limpopo to the north, Acornhoek is located in the north east of South Africa, bordering the western perimeter of the Kruger National Park (See map). The population in the greater Acornhoek area is around 150,000, is made up mainly of the Shangaan people. With an average household size of 5 it is estimated that there are around 30,000 households in the community that could benefit from use of solar or fuel-efficient stoves.

The area is made up predominantly by formally displaced communities originating within the Park area. Although the Kruger Park is one of South Africa’s largest eco-tourism destinations, very little tourism-derived revenue reaches Acornhoek; with only a small number of the town’s inhabitants employed by the Park. The Acornhoek community has no industry and there are few jobs and career opportunities. The town is experiencing an ongoing Diaspora of its young adult population, who leave in search of work to support themselves and families remaining in the town.

A family or household’s income in this region ranges from 300 -1000 South African rand a month. Over the whole province only a third of households have access to mains electricity, however in the region of Acornhoek kit is significantly less than this. Families will spend 100-200 rand a month on buying wood for cooking; averaging the national estimate that the average poor home in South Africa spend around 25%of their income on fuelwood . 

Wood is the main source of fuel for those households not grid connected. As households that come into this category are generally the poor, it will be these household types that this project shall focus on. Coal and paraffin are the second most commonly used fuel types. Figure 6 shows this- highlighting the significant use of wood in the region. Wood is burnt in conventional home cooking on an open three-stone fire made in the open or indoors. Inhalation of smoke and fumes is a daily occurrence and way of life, representing a major health hazard to communities. The stoves introduced by this partnership project will create immediate health benefits within recipient households. Reducing household wood use in this region will also lessen the burden placed on women in the communities who regularly trek miles to collect fuel wood.

Source: Sugrue, A. 2005. Energy for Sustainable Development, presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Minerals and Energy. 9 March 2005.