This paper provides an overview of poverty reduction in South Africa from 1980 to 2013. It
highlights the trends in poverty; those poverty-alleviation policies that have been
implemented; as well as the challenges that have been faced in reducing poverty. Povertyreduction
policies that have been implemented comprise short- and long-term measures.
Short-term measures have focused on increasing the disposable income of the poor. The
long-term poverty-reduction reforms were aimed at the economic empowerment of the
poor. Despite all the policies that have been implemented, South Africa – like other
emerging economies – still faces a number of challenges related to reducing poverty.