During the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the government will increase several grants. This will form part of the government's strategy to help vulnerable individuals cope with the rising cost of living.
More than 25 million people are currently receiving social grants distributed by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa). Around 7.8 million people are receiving the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
Ramaphosa said, “We will ensure that existing social grants are increased to cushion the poor against rising inflation.”
Rachel Bukasa from Black Sash says the president's announcement during the SONA indicates that the frequent calls for the extension of the SRD grant have not been dismissed.
Black Sash believes that several factors must be considered when a decision is made about a possible increase to grants distributed by Sassa, including the SRD grant. This includes taking into account rising food prices and inflation.
When we're talking about an increase what we're hoping is going to happen is going to take into account inflation and it's going to take into account the food poverty line as well
The group is calling for the value of the SRD grant, currently R350, to be increased to the food poverty line which is R624 per month.
“It's one thing to say people receive R350 and it's another thing to say that people receive grants where they can actually sustain themselves with dignity” declared Bukasa .
Much of the discourse around calls for an increase to the SRD grant centres are around the affordability of it. Black Sash says an expert panel should be established to come up with solutions to fund an increase to the critical relief measure.
Right now what we have is not a case of not being able to afford it's a case of not wanting to engage in those conversations
Currently, the SRD grant is considered as a temporary relief mechanism and its implementation is set to conclude in 2024. Black Sash is calling for the grant to be made permanent.
Bukasa says the president acknowledged that South Africa is battling the triple challenge of hunger, poverty and unemployment. The end of the SRD grant could leave more than 7 million destitute adults with any support.
“Those people need to be looked after, they are government's responsibility until proper job mechanisms and job creation mechanisms are in place it is government's responsibility to make sure that people who are left without other option are looked after” concluded Bukasa.
Information regarding government's further implementation of the SRD grant will be revealed during the 2023 Budget Speech. The Budget Speech will be delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 22 February 2023.
