basic income grant

On Tuesday morning, the Department of Social Development tabled the Budget Vote in Parliament. Within this budget, the Minister spoke on the latest on Basic Income Support.

More than 25 million vulnerable individuals rely on social grants top purchase basic goods and services. Government has revealed its intention to extend this support in the form of basic income support.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the government plans to continue its implementation of the Social Relief of Distress grant. While the news was largely well received, a union believes that grants must be replaced.

In March 2023, millions of people are set to receive their final R350 grant payments. However, the social development department is looking at how the grant could be made permanent.

The South African government wants to increase the scope of social support to include unemployed adults. The Social Development department is investigating ways it could introduce basic income support for vulnerable adults in a way that is financially sustainable and does not comprise economic growth.  

The R350 grant demonstrated the need for social assistance by unemployed individuals between the age of 18 and 59 years old. The department responsible for social support is looking at ways this vulnerable group can continue being supported.

Tackling the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment remains an important task for the South African government. One mechanism proposed to combat this triple challenge is the introduction of a Basic Income Grant.

Poverty, inequality, and unemployment are some of the many socio-economic challenges that are faced by many. As a result, government plans to introduce the Basic Income Grant (BIG) as a form of social assistance that will address the challenges that affect the most vulnerable in society. 

We've been hearing talks about Government introducing a basic income grant for months now but has anything solid been said yet? Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, has already addressed the possibility of the grant.

Human rights activists, Black Sash is calling for the Special R350 Covid-19 SRD grant which came an end on 30 April 2021, to be extended to unemployed people especially now that South Africa is on a Level 4 lockdown.