Ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2025 Budget Speech on Wednesday, February 19, social justice organisation Black Sash is calling for the government to prioritise the welfare of South Africa’s poorest citizens.
In a statement, Black Sash said that while President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the importance of social support for vulnerable South Africans in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), he did not provide clarity on the future of social grants and the Basic Income Grant (BIG).
“His (Ramaphosa’s) vagueness raises concerns, especially given the rising cost of living and the growing demand for financial relief among unemployed and low-income citizens.”
Black Sash has emphasised the critical role that social grants play in reducing poverty and inequality but expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear plan in SONA. "We expect the finance minister to provide the clarity and commitment that was missing from the President’s address. The budget must allocate sufficient resources to fulfil Ramaphosa’s government’s promises regarding social security.
“We urge the government to move beyond rhetoric and take meaningful steps toward implementing the Basic Income Grant. A concrete plan with clear funding strategies, implementation timelines, and long-term sustainability measures must be presented.
“The well-being of millions of those living in South Africa depends on decisive action, and we will continue to advocate for policies that prioritise economic justice and dignity for all. ”
Black Sash outlined the following key actions in response to the 2024 budget:
– Increase all social grants in line with inflation: To ensure that vulnerable individuals maintain their purchasing power amidst rising costs, all social grants should be adjusted to match the current inflation rate.
– Make the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant permanent: Black Sash calls for the SRD grant to be made permanent and for the amount to be increased to at least the Lower Bound Food Poverty Line, providing consistent support for unemployed individuals aged 18 to 59.
– Raise the Child Support Grant to meet the Food Poverty Line: The Child Support Grant should be increased to at least R760 to ensure caregivers can meet children’s nutritional needs. The current amount of R530 is below the Food Poverty Line, leaving many families struggling to provide adequate care and falling into debt.
– Improve the grant payment system: Black Sash urges the development of a more efficient, transparent, and effective grant payment system managed by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). The recent issues with the SASSA Gold Card and the rollout of the Postbank Black card have caused confusion and concern among beneficiaries, who worry about disruptions to their support.
– Black Sash also calls on National Treasury to allocate funding for the implementation of a Social Protection Floor, ensuring access to essential goods and services for everyone in South Africa. This is in line with the National Development Plan’s goal of achieving a “decent standard of living” for all South Africans by 2030.
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