Some civic society groups have claimed that South Africa is currently faced with a triple threat of hunger, poverty, and unemployment. It is for this reason that the government has responded by continuing one of its social grants.
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant was one of the government mechanisms of making sure that affected individuals are financially taken care of during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly announced that over 7 million people are currently benefiting from the SRD grant.
The grant has undergone through a number of changes since it was first introduced, and some of these include changes in the qualifying criteria and improved systems .
Ramaphosa has assured the current recipients of the grant that they will continue to receive their monthly payments and there will be an increase in the value of the SRD grant.
In an interview, a professional lawyer and Director of the Black Sash human rights organisation, Rachel Bukasa said:
We are hoping that the government will take into account inflation, and the food poverty line as well.
Although there had been mixed reactions on what is the most appropriate and realistic increase for the grant, the organisation has indicated that aligning the increase with the food poverty line will allow people to look after themselves and also be able to live life in a dignified manner.
A person needed to have at least R585 per month to meet the minimum required daily energy intake in 2020. This number has increased to R624 in 2021 due to the rising cost of living.
The government has responded that the existing social grants are to be increased to cushion the poor against rising inflation.
Work is currently underway to develop a mechanism for targeted basic income support for the most vulnerable, but within the government’s fiscal constraints, said Ramaphosa.
Bukasa also pointed out that this will need to be done with a human rights approach and not purely from an economic perspective alone.
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There have been critics that are of the opinion that there are too many people relying on grant, adding that the government should look at other ways, such as creating jobs, to sustain people rather than social grants.
The Black Sash is on the same page with these individuals, however, the organization has mentioned that something needs to be placed in the absence of job creation for the majority of South Africans.
Read Also:
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- When Will Government Announce Sassa Grant Increases?
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