GOOD Media Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
23 July 2023
The intention of the Minister of Social Development to request cabinet to support a two-year extension of the R350 per month Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant will bring some comfort to those whose survival is assisted by this grant.
In reply to a parliamentary question, from the IFP, the Minister confirmed the department is seeking the extension to provide interim relief whilst they work on a draft policy for a more permanent Basic Income Support.
Given the scale of unemployment and poverty the truth is that once this grant was introduced there was no way it could ever be withdrawn.
The suggestion that it would be withdrawn on 31 March 2024 – right in the middle of a national election – was always a fairy tale.
While National Treasury has held the view, as reported in the 2023/24 budget, that this is a temporary grant that will end in 2024, the ANC government knows that withdrawing the grant would be political suicide.
However, we must not allow the ANC to play politics with the right to basic income support.
In a country with poverty on a massive scale, and with an economy that is not producing enough jobs, the need for basic income support is a moral and legal duty.
The right to this support is protected by the Bill of Rights in our Constitution.
But R350 per month is not nearly sufficient.
It is about half way to the food poverty line – this means it isn’t enough to pay for the most basic food items to keep starvation and food insecurity at bay.
The amount was introduced in 2020 and despite rampant inflation and rising food prices it has never been increased.
This is a massive failure of government to meet the needs of those who are unable to provide for themselves.
The GOOD party proposes that the SRD grant be used as the foundations for a Basic Income Grant and that this be increased to R999 per month.
This would place the Basic Income Grant at approximately the lower bound poverty line.
The state can afford to extend the grant but it can also afford to increase it to R999 per month.
The GOOD party has done the research and through measures such as effective allocations, restructuring government, and some amendments to certain tax incentives we can ensure that those who need it are provided with assistance that will allow them to meet their most basic human needs.
A comprehensive social security system can and must be implemented with the necessary political will.
It’s not a charitable act but a Constitutional and moral one.
GOOD calls on the State to commit to implementing a Basic Income Grant of R999.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 082 518 3264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 550 9875
Email: media@forgood.org.za