This investigation focused on why the poor are in debt, what they are indebted for, when debt was incurred, why a loan was incurred, and from whom it was aquired and for what purpose. In addition, it investigated the reasons for indebtedness, as well as the possibilities of how this situation may be addressed and the indebtedness reduced.

This investigation focused on why the poor are in debt, what they are indebted for, when debt was incurred, why a loan was incurred, and from whom it was aquired and for what purpose. In addition, it investigated the reasons for indebtedness, as well as the possibilities of how this situation may be addressed and the indebtedness reduced.

The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which the UN/OSCAL (United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Development Countries) model of microfinance is being applied in the South African context, its scope for application and recommendations for implementation. The hypothesis is that, the better South African microfinance initiatives conform to the model, the more successful it will be in fulfilling the ultimate mission of microfinance which is to supply financial services to the poor by cutting the cost of outreach with beneficial effects on poverty..

The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which the UN/OSCAL (United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Development Countries) model of microfinance is being applied in the South African context, its scope for application and recommendations for implementation. The hypothesis is that, the better South African microfinance initiatives conform to the model, the more successful it will be in fulfilling the ultimate mission of microfinance which is to supply financial services to the poor by cutting the cost of outreach with beneficial effects on poverty..