Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu says the government is looking at ways to financially assist people who are aged between 18 and 60 amid historically high unemployment levels in South Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic.
This emerged from a panel discussion looking at options for a basic income grant.
The R 350 social relief of distress grant will cease in March.
It is estimated that about 18 million South Africans are currently dependant on some form of government grant.
Zulu did not want to be drawn on how much a basic income grant could be, saying it is still early days.
She says, “We’re not only just looking at the basic income grant like we’re just thinking there’s money somewhere. We’re looking at all other options that are available to us, available to our people to assist them to improve their well-being. So, we have to work with different departments, we have to work with the private sector, we have to be developmental in our approach as far as the basic income grant is concerned.”
Social Development Department, ILO launch a Report on Basic Income support for 18 to 60-year-olds
R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant may be extended
In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that the R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant may be extended beyond March next year.
Addressing COSATU’s three-day Central Committee gathering, the president said the country’s unemployment levels are beyond a crisis.
He says the unemployed and poor need more support.
President Ramaphosa says the R350 social relief grant may be extended beyond March 2022:
