GOOD press statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
04 April 2022
We welcome the President’s announcement that the State of Disaster, under which we have lived for over two years, will be lifted at midnight tonight.
The announcement, along with the fact that some transitional rules will remain in place pending the promulgation of new Health Act regulations, is largely symbolic since for the most part South Africans have learnt to live with the virus and some precautions remain.
We accept these precautions as necessary in order to manage the transition to a virus that will remain endemic.
South Africa, like the rest of the world, has navigated an unprecedented public health crisis and despite some criticism about the restrictions that have been imposed our government has managed the pandemic following science and in line with the way the vast majority of countries have done so.
The imposition of restrictions and regulations has brought us to this significant point where the State of Disaster can be lifted and South Africans can now live with the virus with increased immunity and a readily available vaccine.
Our focus must now shift to rebuilding our economy to recover the jobs and businesses lost and to ensure that economic growth creates even more employment and reduces inequality.
We welcome the unequivocal commitment to the continuation of the R350 per month Social Relief of Distress Grant and we call on the government to acknowledge that the exceptionally high levels of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity in our country mean that this basic income can never be withdrawn.
Our government must plan for a permanent basic income guarantee for as long as our economy is not generating enough jobs.
Media enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Samkelo Mgobozi, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0792315977 (WhatsApp)/0829684021 (calls)
Email: samm@forgood.org.za