IEJ urges urgent increase in social grants! The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) is calling for an immediate increase in South Africa’s social grant payments, arguing that current amounts fall far below the national poverty threshold.
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the food poverty line — the minimum amount required to meet basic nutritional needs — is R796 per person per month.
Increase in social grants
SRD and Child Grants Insufficient
IEJ researcher Siyanda Baduza highlighted that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, currently at R370, does not come close to covering even basic food expenses.
“Despite the Constitution guaranteeing the right to social assistance, many recipients cannot afford food for themselves and their families,” said Baduza.
The child support grant, currently at R560, also falls short of the child poverty line and fails to meet the estimated cost of adequately feeding a child.
Call for Action
Baduza emphasised that increasing the value of grants is one of the most effective ways to reduce food poverty.
“There’s a very strong link between income poverty and food poverty,” he said, urging the government to prioritise social grant adjustments in future policy planning to help South Africans meet their basic needs.
In other news – Babes Wodumo pays emotional tribute to late husband Mampintsha
Gqom sensation Babes Wodumo poured her heart out in an emotional Instagram post on Friday, 27 June 2025, as she paid tribute to her late husband, Mampintsha, on what would have been his birthday.
The couple, once known as one of South Africa’s most iconic musical duos, shared not only a professional partnership but a deeply personal bond that continues to leave a void in Babes’ life. Read More
