Factors that influence firewood use among electrified Bapedi households of Senwabarwana Villages, South Africa

This paper presents the factors that influence firewood use among electrified Bapedi households in Senwabarwana Villages. The study follows explanatory and exploratory methods of data analysis, through survey (structured interviews) and meta-analysis. In-depth content analysis was followed to establish trends and identify factors that influence the use of firewood among electrified households globally and in the current study area. The results confirm that firewood is still the most common energy resource used for cooking, as well as water and space heating in many developing countries. Major drivers of firewood use are household income, educational status of breadwinners, family size, and place of residence, fuel affordability and accessibility. One of the key findings of this paper is that firewood use is also a psychological and behavioural issue as well as an economic one. There are indigenous and socio-cultural perceptions attached to the use of different energy sources. It is for these reasons, among others, that most communities do not stop using firewood even when they have access to electricity. However, the results reveal a shift from dependence on firewood to other energy sources as household income and educational levels improve. The latter is primarily a convenient factor of energy selection. In conclusion, the current study concludes that firewood use is primarily driven by convenience. The more convenient the source of energy, the more attractive it becomes to different households.