Statement by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General and member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
25 July 2021
The President’s address to the nation tonight included a range of bold initiatives to support the poorest amongst us and to cushion businesses from the impact of the lockdowns and recent attempted insurrection.
It included the broadest range of interventions and support systems we have seen to date. It is apparent that our government has grasped the depths of the crisis we are in, economically and socially, and is making efforts to address some of the urgent weaknesses in our economic and social systems.
Social Relief:
One of the most pressing needs in our poorest communities is reliable access to basic needs such as food.
Hunger and poverty is visibly on the rise. It is deeply disturbing to meet with communities who have no jobs, no income and no food.
The Covid-19 Social Relief Grant provided some relief to these families and it was important that it was reinstated immediately.
We welcome the extension of this grant until the end of March 2022 plus the inclusion of caregivers, mostly women, who may also apply for the grant in addition to the child-care grant.
But the Social Relief Grant is a band-aid. It is not the social security safety net we need.
The 31 March 2022 is the end of the current financial year and the new financial year would be the ideal time to replace this temporary relief with a basic income grant which at least meets the food poverty level of R585 per person per month.
Business Support:
The President announced a broad range of support for businesses. Clearly the reality of the combined impact of the pandemic and the recent looting and violence is being felt in the heart of our government.
The short-term relief, of deferred taxes and the return of UIF TERS assistance, will assist businesses with their cashflow and we hope allow them to trade out of any financial constraints.
Being able to trade and survive again depends directly on all of us playing our part by adhering to the rules and protocols. We are all in this together.
Economic Restrictions:
The food and hospitality industry was a significant employer and the trade restrictions they have endured, on and off, over the past 16 months has decimated long established small businesses and all of the jobs they created.
We welcome the lifting of some of the restrictions. Restaurants, bars and liquor traders will however continue to operate under significant income generating restrictions.
It is important for all of us to adhere to the protocols and rules so that we can get to the point of additional easing of trading restrictions for these industries. This is a duty we have to each other.
Vaccinations:
We welcome the increasing trajectory of daily vaccinations. It is important that there is a continuous and reliable supply of vaccines so that we can meet our targets.
We welcome the assurance that there is an adequate supply chain for us to meet our vaccination targets and accelerate the role out.
Education:
The pandemic and the restrictions have had a devastating impact on basic and higher education. Being able to attend school is not only about learning the syllabus from the teacher. The disruptions in the school programme are also disruptions in the opportunities for learners to engage with each other socially and in sport and recreation.
It is important that schooling gets back on track and we welcome the announcement that schools will re-open as planned.
Violence and Looting:
The commitments to assist businesses and person directly affected by the instigated violence and looting, mostly in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal, is also welcome – especially for those businesses that were not insured and do not have access to SASRIA insurance claims.
We urge SASRIA to settle claims swiftly.
It is vitally important that the instigators of this insurrection attempt are investigated, arrested and prosecuted swiftly. Justice must be seen to be done.