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Maputo 2008 & 2010:
Poverty Reduction
and Urban Revolts
Presentation for the EADI Working
Group on Urban Governance
17 March 2011
Inge Tvedten
Senior Researcher
CMI
Introduction
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Part of larger series: Two studies
on poverty in Maputo (20072010)
High level of urban vs. rural
poverty in Mozambique (50 % vs.
57%)
Poverty rate in Maputo reduced
between 2003-2009 (55% to
36%)
Two large uprisings (Feb2008,
Sep2010) sparked by priceincreases
Immediate concessions by the
Government (continued
subsidies)
Analytical Framework
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Structural constraints and human
agency (Bourdieu’s ’praxis
theory’)
Cities represent different
structural constraints and
opportunities than rural areas do
Unemployed and poor men lose
their authority and self-esteem
and have their agency restricted
Women have their social space
extended through the options for
income in the informal economy
and less socio-cultural control
Socio-Economic Inequality
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Employment and housing the two
key issues with material as well
as socio-cultural ramifications
Richest/poorest quintile foodhousing expenditure 50% vs.
80%
Processes of marginalisation of
the very poorest
Differences in poverty levels
between the bairros
Most consistent reduction in
poverty among urban FHH
Socio-Cultural Conditions
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Relatively high level of education,
particularly among the young
(Primary completion rate 92%)
Relatively poor health indicators,
particularly as regards nutrition
(Calorie poverty rate 75%)
Precarious environmental
conditions (pollution, waste,
floods)
Limited extent of urban-rural
relationships (the poorest
’trapped’)
Politics and Governance
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‘Informal’ political control by
Frelimo down to the levels of
‘quarterões’ and ‘dez casas’
Frustration with the political
system (low participation in
municipal elections at 28%)
Poor communication between
central and municipal government and the communities
Exceptionally limited extent of
‘associational life’ and basis for
organisation
The Urban Uprisings
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Sparked by price increases on
fuel/transport (2008) and
food/energy (2010)
Quickly spread by cell-phones
and words of mouth, and
effectively ’paralysing’ the city
Immediate response from the
government by reintroducing
subsidies (2% of GDP in 2010)
Quickly calmed down, but tension
’simmering’ under the surface
Tentative Explanations
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Urban poverty more complex
than simple poverty lines imply
The commodification and ensuing
vulnerability of urban life
Un-fulfilled expectations of ‘urban
modernity’ among youth
Women more social space and
less patience with social injustice
Inadequate outlets for real
political participation