Our Projects

Progressus conducted a web-based survey on all Wits Postgraduate students to establish their current housing conditions, the cost of housing, as well as their housing preferences, while doing their post graduate studies. They survey collected 980 responses and was done in 2016. The study was done for Prof Mary Scholes and Taffy Adler

A survey was conducted on recipient of the Global Grand Challenge Fund to assess the impact of the funding, The survey was conducted for WITS in 2016.

An online survey was conducted for TUHF (on behalf of REBEL SA) to assess their presence and impact in the city of Johannesburg. The survey was conducted for REBEL, in 2016

An online survey was conducted in 2016 for PARI (Wits) to in order to map the organisations involved in building democratic rights of civil society. The survey was administered to more than 5000 NGOs. The survey was conducted in 2016.

An online survey was created for the Western Cape Government regarding procurement issues. The survey was conducted for REBEL, Andreas Bertoldi in 2017.

An online survey was created and sent to Affordable market borrowers from the 4 major banks in South Africa. Data was analysed and reported. The study was conducted for REBEL in 2017

The Department of Human Settlements, Western Cape is part of the National housing subsidy programme.  Under this programme the department has in the delivery of housing to low-income households in the Province.  Providing low-income households with housing opportunities comes with certain conditions and restrictions, the most important of these being that the allocated family need to occupy the house for at least the first 8 years.  Anecdotal evidence has shown that many however, do not adhere to the restrictions. In light of above, the Department of Human Settlements appointed Shisaka Development Management Services together with Progressus Research to undertake an assessment on whether the housing opportunities provided were addressing the correct needs of a beneficiary and whether the correct intentions of providing housing opportunities met the desired aspirations of owning a house.  The study was done in 2023.

A survey was undertaken in 4 Provinces with primary, secondary and tertiary beneficiaries of NLC grant recipients. Approximately 800 interviews were conducted and 8 focus groups in North West Province, Mpumalanga, Free State and the Northern Cape. The client was the National Lotteries Commission and the study was executed in partnership with Rebel.

A random survey of about 700 employees were conducted to establish employees’ current housing circumstances and housing aspirations. The survey was conducted for Shisaka Development Services as an associate of the team. The team leader was Matthew Nell.

A survey was conducted on Retailers and Shoppers involved in cross border trade in the inner city of Johannesburg. The research aimed to establish the contribution of cross border trade to the economy of the inner city of Johannesburg and to determine the challenges facing the shoppers and retailers as well as to identify opportunities to support, enhance and grow this market. The survey was conducted for TANYA ZACK in 2017.

Progressus did a survey of small-scale landlords and entrepreneurs in 3 inner city areas (Hillbrow/Berea and Tshwane Central/Sunnyside) as well as 3 township areas (Orlando East, Katlehong and Stanza Bopaphe, Mamelodi). The survey identified the entrepreneurial strategies followed by small-scale landlords and entrepreneurs as well as the role of the house in their business. Surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted. The survey was conducted for FinMark Trust (Project managed by Shisaka) Mathew Nell.

A survey was conducted on informal traders in Ekhurhuleni. The study highlighted the plight of informal traders, their challenges and opportunities. It specifically looked at the nature of the relationship between the formal and informal sectors. The study was conducted for prof David Dickinson (WITS Busniness School)

Progressus conducted focus groups with male and female business operators in rural areas, mostly from survivalist enterprises. The project included negotiations with local rural authorities, selection of participants, focus group discussion, transcription and analysis of the us groups, analysis of the data and writing a final report. The study was conducted for The Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency

Progressus undertook a household survey in informal communities in eThikwini to assess the impact of Containerised Ablution Blocks in informal settlements. Progressus collected survey data in 20 settlements where Containerised Ablution Blocks (CAB) have been placed and 10 in which CAB locations had been designated. In-depth interviews, focus groups and on-site observations were conducted as well.

The survey was done in partnership with PWC Netherlands and AIID. The survey was conducted in 2016. The project was completed over a period of 10 months, from September 2016 to June 2017.

TUHF through David Gardener requested Progressus to conduct a survey of backyard landlords and tenants in selected areas of Gauteng namely Bram Fischerville and Cosmo City. The overall objective of the study was to create a better understanding of landlord needs, especially in terms of financing further development of rental units, as well as the needs and pay potential of tenants in Backyard Rentals. The study was conducted in 2015 for Lusanda Netshitenzhe.

A series of studies were conducted on the operation of the urban land market – how the poor access, hold and trade land. For the first arm of this research, Progressus was appointed together with Isandla Institute and Stephen Berrisford Consulting to conduct this study for Urban Landmark. The research was implemented in 3 metropolitan areas and consisted of qualitative and quantitative surveys. Progressus was responsible for all the research implementation on the project. The study was done for Urban Landmark (Mark Napier), in cooperation with Colin Marx and Mirjam van Dam from the Isandla Institute.

Furthermore Progressus was appointed in 2011 and 2012 to conduct the data analysis on the Tenure Security project done in Angola by a local contractor.

In 2012/ 2013, Progressus won the tender to conduct the tenure security study in 2 settlements in Lilongwe, Malawi and Tete, Mozambique. The survey contributed to a body of knowledge on tenure security in poor areas, and indicated the importance of working with local tenure security practises in the planning and execution of settlement upgrading

Progressus conducted a survey for Eskom to establish a demographic and housing profile of their employees within the Bargaining unit. 2100 employees were surveyed nationally. The data was used by Shisaka DMS to develop a housing policy for Eskom. The client was Eskom and Progressus worked within the Shisaka Development Management Services team.

Progressus conducted a survey for ACSA to establish their employees’ demographic and housing profile. 460 employees were sampled from all airports nationally. The data was used by Shisaka DMS to develop a housing policy for ACSA.

Progressus conducted a survey for Rhizome Management to inform them on the situation in RDP housing as well as social housing projects to feed into a project they were conducting for The Social Housing Foundation on the cost benefit of RDP housing versus Social Housing. The survey was conducted in 6 areas within 3 provinces of South Africa namely Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape. 3 RDP and 3 Social Housing projects were visited. Progressus did the survey for Rhizome Management (Andreas Bertoldi) for SHF.

Urban LandMark commissioned an in-depth narrative-style investigation of specific precincts in selected settlements in order to contribute an historical perspective on urban land in the land management system to its growing body of research. The project purpose was to develop three land biographies in order to make an additional contribution to Urban LandMark’s growing empirical base regarding urban land access by the poor. This contribution offered a perspective which narrates the passage of land through the urban land management system. Progressus worked with Colin Marx and Margot Rubin, and conducted the empirical research for the project. The project was conducted for Urban LandMark, under the guidance of Colin Marx.

A household survey was conducted with residents from the inner city of Johannesburg to assess their building and living conditions and experiences of living in the inner city. The sample included 1508 respondents. The survey was conducted for the Johannesburg Housing Company (Taffy Adler).

A household survey was conducted with residents from the Hillbrow/Berea in the inner city of Johannesburg to assess general household aspects, rental vs. ownership decisions, living conditions and experiences of living in the inner city. The study was conducted for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council: Inner City Office.

Progressus worked with a team of consultants and was responsible for a social survey of 400 households in 2 social housing projects in Alexandra. Progressus CC developed the research instrument, recruited and trained the fieldworkers, managed the data gathering and wrote a comprehensive report on the findings. In addition, focus groups were also conducted to add an in-dept understanding to the findings. The survey was conducted for the Gauteng Department of Housing (Rory Gallacher).

Progressus has conducted a survey for NURCHA and the Housing Finance Resource Programme to investigate the potential to develop the small-scale backyard rental landlord. Focus groups were conducted in 3 township areas in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal and was followed by a survey of the targeted areas.

Progressus did a survey of borrowers from micro lenders receiving funding from the Rural Housing Loan Fund. Individuals had to be traced and interviewed across the country. This was a particularly challenging survey as contact information for borrowers were sometimes very sketchy. However, Progressus managed to realise the sample to such an extent that the data was valid and useful. The aim of the survey was to establish borrower patterns of behaviour and customer satisfaction with service from micro lenders. The survey as first conducted in 2003/4 and repeated again in 2010/11. The survey collected responses from 930 borrowers in total.

Progressus did a survey of township residential property markets. This survey was commissioned and funded by FinMark Trust, Ford Foundation, Micro Finance Regulatory Council / USAID, South African National Treasury and the National Housing Finance Corporation. Shisaka managed the project. Progressus was responsible for the questionnaire development, recruitment and training of the fieldworkers, and the data gathering, data capture, and reporting of the data to the project team. The client was Finmark Trust (Project managed by Shisaka) Mathew Nell.

Progressus did a survey of occupants in identified Sectional Title Buildings in Hillbrow to establish the current status of the buildings and units, as well as payment history, perceptions of the city and the building, and future plans. The study was conducted with the Shisaka consortium for the City of Johannesburg. The project was conducted for the City of Johannesburg (Lee Pernegger) and managed by Mathew Nell (Shisaka).

Progressus conducted a survey in 6 sites in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town among low income earners to assess their loan history, financial status and interest in future lending. The study is part of a multi-country study and conducted for the Development Innovations Group (USA) The survey was done for the Development Innovations Group & Finmark.

A survey was conducted for ICHUT (The Inner City Housing Upgrading Trust) in the inner city suburbs of Johannesburg. 1800 interviews were conducted door to door. Progressus CC was responsible for the management and training of all fieldworkers as well as managing the data gathering and data capturing. The survey was done for the Centre for Policy Studies & ICHUT.

A survey was conducted for the Special Presidential Project in Katorus. The focus of the study was rental housing, concentrating on backyard shacks and formal backyard rooms in Vosloorus, Katlehong and Thokoza. The study included qualitative and quantitative phases. During the qualitative phase focus groups discussions were held and analysed and during the quantitative phase approximately 1300 door-to-door interviews were conducted with landlords and tenants in all three areas. The client was Mike Oelofse Consultancy & The Special Presidential Project.

Progressus has been appointed by Ros Gordon, Kecia Rust & Marion Stewart to conduct a qualitative study for the Tenant Management Investigation – commissioned by ICHUT, Gauteng Department of Housing & Land Affairs & Social Housing Foundation. Focus groups were conducted with tenants and tenant structures, in the inner c.

A collaborative project between the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Wits RHI and Progressus Research and Development was formed in 2015 to determine the key drivers of demand and uptake for HIV prevention products in Gauteng Province South Africa. The study was designed to incorporate best practice in eliciting individual preferences, and comprised of two sequential stages. In stage 1 formative research was conducted in order to design, refine, and then test a quantitative survey that was used for the DCE. Stage 2 involved implementation of a population-based household survey among specific target populations (adult men, women and adolescent girls). A separate respondent-driven sampling survey was used to collect data from female sex workers.

The aim of the study was to investigate uncircumcised men’s barriers to MMC uptake in Orange Farm and qualitatively assess demand creation strategies to address them. Five focus groups discussions (FDGs) were conducted each with 8 to 10 uncircumcised men from the Orange Farm community selected on the basis of their age group, marital status and employment status. Another four focus groups were conducted with women. The FGDs were carried out using a qualitative unstructured questionnaire and led by a moderator. All sessions were recorded and transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed using an inductive approach. The study was done in 2015 for Prof Bertran Auvert, from The University of Versailles.

Progressus conducted sixteen focus group discussions in 2015 (eight groups of female and eight groups of male participants) were held with groups of sixteen potential clients in Soweto (Zola/Chiawelo area) and Braamfontein. This was an interactive discussion on the acceptability and feasibility of the self-testing kit, including: the packaging and instructions, pricing options, barriers and facilitators to access, barriers to traditional testing and counseling, hypothetical discussion around a self-test kit and draft instructions, reasons they would use this test, reasons they would not use this test. Information on socio-cultural and economic status as well stigma and discrimination was also collected. The client was The Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention Studies (Chaps)

A household survey was conducted in Orange Farm (Gauteng) to obtain baseline data for a 3 year community circumcision intervention project (2007/08). 2400 households were randomly sampled using a 2-phase cluster sample from Enumerator Area maps. The survey comprised of a health questionnaire conducted with eligible household members (men and women aged 12 to 49 years). The following biomedical specimens were taken:

• Blood samples
• Urine samples
• Physical examination of male genitalia

More than 5000 people were included in the survey. This survey was repeated again in 2010/2011 in which the positive impact of male circumcision on HIVC transference was established at community level. The client was INSERM, University of Paris, France – Prof Bertran Auvert)

Mutual Monogamy Programme Evaluation

Progressus conducted a survey of churches in the Eastern Cape to evaluate a programme on Mutual Monogamy for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The project was conducted for the Population Council (USA) in conjunctions with Masazi Development Services. The survey included a survey of church goers, in-depth interviews and focus groups. A pre-study survey was conducted, as well a post-evaluation survey.

National Assessment for Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in South Africa

Progressus conducted the fieldwork component of a national assessment for male circumcision for HIV prevention study, in conjunction with MASAZI Development Services. The study focused on the following 3 components:  A sector-by-sector analysis of male circumcision service providers and facilities as part of a “service availability mapping”.  An assessment of the demand for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) Services and an analysis of Service Delivery Policy Environmental Analysis.  The study provided information to the Government and other stakeholders about the demand and supply environment for providing MC services. The study was done in 2009.

A National Review of the Household and Community Component of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses in South Africa: The evaluation of the Household Component of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) was commissioned by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the South African Department of Health. Progressus worked with MASAZI to conduct the assessment between 2008 and 2010. The Department of Health and other stakeholders used the results to improve interventions that improve the lives of children.

A household survey was conducted to determine the impact of an HIV intervention programme on the community. The primary client changed over time and included the CSIR, INSERM (Paris France), Population Council. A baseline survey was conducted, followed by a mid-programme progress assessment and a concluding assessment. 1500 households were included in each survey as well as 900 mine workers. A thorough health questionnaire was completed on participants as well as biomedical tests which included:

• Blood samples
• Urine samples
• Genital swaps
• Mouth swaps
• Physical examination of male genitalia

A community based survey was conducted in Westonaria among youth (Male 20 –29 years, females 15 – 25 years). The aim of the survey was to identify risk factors for infection with HIV and STD’s, including extensive bio-medical tests and a KAP questionnaire. The client was Prof. Bertran Auvert (INSERM, University of Paris, France)

Progressus CC was responsible a bio-medical community survey conducted in the Orange Farm. Progressus CC managed the training of fieldworkers, the data gathering, data capturing and data cleaning. The survey investigated the sexual behaviour and attitudes of people in the Orange Farm area with a sample size of 1000 participants. The client was INSERM (France): Prof Bertran Auvert

Progressus managed a Male Circumcision Trial over a 36 month period in Orange Farm. The Orange Farm Trial was 1 of three randomized controlled clinical trials conducted in Africa to determine whether circumcision of adult males will reduce their risk for HIV infection. The study conducted in South Africa was stopped in 2005, after interim analyses found a statistically significant reduction in male participants’ risk for HIV infection from medical circumcision. Circumcision showed to have a 60% protective effect against HIV transmission. This finding was confirmed in the other 2 trials. The client was INSERM (France): Prof Bertran Auvert, and The National Institute for Communicable Diseases Dr Adrian Puren.

Progressus was appointed by the Inter-Sectoral AIDS committee to conduct a study in the Gauteng Provincial Government, focusing on the Department of Health and The Department of Education. Focus groups were conducted with personnel, and followed with a survey of 800 employees. The survey informed the Workplace programmes with regards to HIV/AIDS. The client was The Gauteng Department of Health.

Gauteng City Region Observatory (GCRO, WITS) appointed Progressus to conduct a Quality- of-Life survey in 3 provinces (North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga). The project was completed over a period of 4months, from February to May 2019. A total of 970 interviews were conducted in private sector houses, RDP houses and Informal settlements.

Two surveys were conducted – in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The two surveys aimed to measure the patterns of inter-group contact and methods of job searching in Johannesburg and Cape Town. More than 3,200 households were included in the study. The research was being conducted for Prof Owen Crankshaw, Sociology Department, University of Cape Town, in association with Prof Robin Cohen (Director of the Oxford International Migration Institute), Prof Steven Vertovec (Director Max Planck Institute for the Study of Ethnic and Religious Diversity), Prof Miles Hewstone, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Experimental Psychology, also at the University of Oxford and Dr Herman Swart, Psychology Department, Stellenbosch University.

Progressus was appointed by FinMark Trust to conduct a survey amongst Social Grant recipients to understand their experiences and the challenges faced in the payment methods use to collect grants. The survey interviewed 390 grant recipients (Old age grant, Disability grant and Child Grant) in Gauteng, 390 in Eastern Cape and 390 in Kwa Zulu Natal: A total of about 1,200 across the country. Pay Point observations were also done in all provinces and stakeholder interviews conducted. Support was received from Ros Gordon. The study was done for FinMark Trust (Dr Penelope Hawkins).

A household based labour survey was conducted in Khayalitsha.  Gugulethu and Mitchells Plain. Interviews were conducted with all adults in the home and 1100 households were visited. These households included squatter areas, council housing, private housing and hostels. The survey was commissioned by SALDRU (South African Labour Development Research Unit) and was done in conjunction with the University of Cape Town.