R350 Social Distress (SRD) grant is set for increase
The Social Relief of Distress Grant
EFF leader Julius Malema said that “the form of social assistance provided by the government since 1994 has not worked to reduce poverty because the government is forever unable to create jobs and lift our people out of poverty”. File photo.
EFF leader Julius Malema reiterated calls for an increase in social assistance, saying that no child or adult can survive and thrive on R350 or R450 a month.
MPs debated the National (Sona) speech on Tuesday following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech last week. The debate will continue on Wednesday. During the debate, Malema criticized Ramaphosa for extending the R350 Social Distress (SRD) grant for another year.
“The fact that South Africa has nearly 20 million people dependent on social benefits is no reason to celebrate, especially considering the fact that social assistance does not help eradicate poverty.” Malema said.
He reiterated that subsidies should be increased, but would not make it a permanent solution.
“Without work, many are condemned as poor. Absolutely no children and no adults can survive and thrive on R350 or R450 a month, worse in a country where the cost of living is rising. Not even the President’s dogs can survive a month’s worth of R450.
“The form of social assistance provided by the government since 1994 has not worked to reduce poverty because the government is forever unable to create jobs and lift our people out of poverty.”
In his Sona speech, Ramaphosa said the government would continue to subsidize SRD, which affects about 7.8 million people. This is to combat the increasing cost of living.
“We will ensure that existing social benefits are increased to protect the poor from rising inflation. This will be determined in the budget by the finance minister,” he said. “Work is underway to develop a targeted basic income support mechanism for the most vulnerable within our budget constraints. This will build on the innovation we’ve introduced through the SRD grant, including linking the data we have between governments to ensure we reach everyone. demand.
“The National Treasury is studying the feasibility of emergency measures to mitigate the impact of load shedding on food prices.”
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