An estimated 18.3 million people live in extreme poverty in South Africa, but, say some in civil society, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget speech didn’t reflect any urgency to providing social protection through grant increases that cushion ...
to challenge the Budget, saying: “Treasury continues to tighten its chokehold on the grant and to act as an obstacle to the realisation of peoples’ constitutionally-enshrined rights. The Institute for Economic Justice demands that the SRD grant is adequately resourced in this year’s budget, to meet the level of need in South Africa. We will challenge any further erosion of the grant,”
The SRD grant equates to roughly R11 a day, while a universal basic income grant would provide R50, but “even this is still insufficient because it is only one meal a day. The state might think this is expensive, but this is expected to feed a family, not just one person”. “To ease the impact of the electricity crisis on food prices, the refund on the Road Accident Fund levy for diesel used in the manufacturing process, such as for generators, will be extended to manufacturers of foodstuffs. This takes effect from 1 April 2023 for two years,” he said.secretary-general, said the Budget is for the rich, and tax breaks and rebates for installing solar power will assist South Africans who have access to resources already.
“Furthermore, despite a commitment in the President’s State of the Nation Address that existing social grants will be increased to cushion the poor against rising inflation, the extra crumbs announced for childcare and old age pensions today insult our most vulnerable people.”
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