South Africa - Volunteer Activities Survey 2010, 2014, 2018

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) conducted its first Volunteer Activities Survey (VAS) in the second quarter of 2010 (Q2:2010). This is a household-based sample survey that collects data on the volunteer activities of individuals aged 15 years and older who live in South Africa. Households selected to take part in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) were used in the survey. The survey collected data on these activities undertaken in the 4 weeks preceding the survey interview. Volunteer activities are defined as activities willingly performed for little or no payment to provide assistance or promote a cause. These activities can be performed either through an organisation or directly for someone outside one’s own household. They take many forms, from picking up groceries for a disabled neighbour to participating in community policing. At the time the survey was conducted it was recommended that volunteer activities performed for immediate family members should not be regarded as volunteer work. However, the definition of what constitutes one’s family, or even immediate family, varies among countries and cultures, and differentiating this practice is difficult to achieve. In line with the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work, it was finally decided that activities performed for immediate family members should be regarded as volunteer work as long as the recipient is not a member of the household. Thus only activities performed for household members are excluded.