Demand for a Basic Income Grant grows as unemployment soars
Image: File
Advocacy group Black Sash has called for the urgent introduction of a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant for unemployed South Africans, warning that millions are being pushed deeper into poverty as the country's jobs crisis worsens.
The call follows the release of Statistics South Africa's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey on Tuesday, which showed that the unemployment rate has risen to 33.2%, with 8.4 million people jobless and nearly one in two young people unable to find work.
"Behind these figures are millions of households facing hunger, deepening poverty and the daily struggle to survive," Black Sash said.
"Black Sash reiterates its call for the urgent introduction of permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) for all those aged 18 to 59 with little or no income, set at a level that at least meets the food poverty line and adjusted annually to inflation".
However, while Black Sash and civil society continue to push for the urgent BIS grant, government progress remains slow amid growing concerns over affordability.
Cabinet has also yet to approve the draft BIS policy, citing the need to ensure the grant is financially sustainable and linked to economic opportunities for recipients.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The group added that without BIS, "social grants remain grossly inadequate to protect the most vulnerable from the spiralling cost of living".
"High food inflation, particularly in essentials like meat, vegetables and cooking oil, is eroding the limited social support available, leaving millions unable to afford basic nutrition".
The organisation further called on the government to also implement a permanent BIS without delay; increase the value of social grants in line with the food poverty line, and invest in sustainable job creation programmes alongside social protection measures.
"Our Constitution promises every South African the right to social security. It is time for the government to honour this commitment, not with rhetoric but with decisive action".
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
18 minutes ago
- IOL News
South African journalists protest against the murder of Palestinian reporters
South African journalists embarked on a protest to stand against Israel's murders of Palestinian reporters in Gaza. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers Dozens of South African journalists embarked on a protest to stand against Israel's brutal murders of Palestinian reporters in Gaza. The protest took place at Cape Town's Sea Point and was organised by Journalists Against Apartheid (JAA), in solidarity with protesters around the world who have condemned Israel's killings. This follows the assassination of six journalists, including prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, in a targeted attack on a media tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on August 10. A total of 269 Palestinian journalists have been killed so far, according to Al Jazeera's data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists and The CPJ believes that at least 26 of them, including Al-Sharif, were deliberately targeted for being journalists. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Israel has for years accused Al-Sharif of being a terrorist but provided no credible evidence, according to the CPJ. JAA was formed last year in honour of the journalists who have been killed. The organisation said powerful governments failed to protect Al-Sharif from this assassination, and as a result, 'on Sunday night, Israel took away a father, husband, and son simply for doing his job'. 'Israel admitted to targeting Al-Sharif, remaining silent on the five other journalists it killed in the same attack,'' said the group. 'These journalists are an inspiration to us. They have been working in the harshest conditions for 22 months, without respite. Despite the lack of significant international action, the unfolding genocide, and forced starvation, they keep reporting on the horrors they themselves are victims of,'' JAA said. "Israel's history of false accusations against journalists is distressing. The CPJ's 2023 'Deadly Pattern' report details five claims of terrorism or militant activity against journalists killed by Israeli forces between 2004 and 2018, and how many journalists Israel has accused of being members or suspected members of militant organisations - all with questionable "evidence" or none at all." JAA spokesperson Deshnee Subramany said: 'We are enraged by Western media that have repeated Israeli lies without scrutiny while silencing Palestinian voices, permitting this genocide to continue. "Many media outlets have contributed to Israel and the United States' disinformation campaign against Palestine, flouting basic journalistic principles,'' she said, adding that the organisation demands that these media houses cease this disastrous propaganda. Subramany also condemned South African media organisations who have undertaken 'sponsored propaganda trips to Israel and published this propaganda' without declaring how these trips were funded. 'This falls far short of journalism ethics, and is shameful in a country where the media's bravery was central to dismantling apartheid. "We stand in solidarity with protesters around the world who have condemned Israel's reprehensible killings.''
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Marikana Massacre: SA govt receives backlash from EFF and BOSA
JOHANNESBURG – The South African government is facing criticism for its silence on the 'Marikana Massacre' as the country remembered 34 mineworkers who were gunned down by police in 2012. Saturday marked 13 years since the incident took place at the Lonmin Platinum Mine – now known as Sibanye-Stillwater - in the North West province during a wage protest Although a commission of inquiry had been conducted, no one has faced prosecution for the tragedy to date. Several organisations and political parties honoured and commemorated the lives that were lost during the tragic incident that occurred 13 years ago - and renewed their calls for accountability. For its part, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) pointed out that many families lost fathers, brothers and sons - men who were fighting for their basic human rights and for dignity. ALSO READ: The party also criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, a shareholder at the time at Lonmin, and the African National Congress (ANC) for failing to deliver justice. Build One SA (BOSA) also called on Ramaphosa to commemorate the massacre with a National Day, in honour of those breadwinners who were killed 13 years ago. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) also reiterated their demands for justice. And the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) emphasised that true justice could only come through successful prosecutions.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
The implications of General Maphwanya's Iran visit on South Africa's foreign policy
An international relations expert warns that the SA National Defence Force chief General Rudzani Maphwanya's recent visit to Iran could deepen tensions between South Africa and the US. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya's recent visit to Iran, where he reportedly pledged military and political support for the country, could deepen tensions between South Africa and the US. This according to international relations expert, Dr Noluthando Phungula, who said South Africa's ties with Iran have been a bone of contention with the US. Maphwanya, who travelled to Iran on Tuesday, held meetings with several high-ranking military officials, including Major General Aziz Nasizadeh, Iran's defence minister, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and General Amir Hatami, the Iranian commander. The trip was aimed at strengthening military cooperation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to Iranian newspaper Tehran Times, Maphwanya said that the two countries had common goals, and always stood alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world. He also took aim at Israel over the continued war in Gaza as he reiterated support for the Palestinian people and told officials his visit "carries a political message" from Ramaphosa's administration. The meeting in Iran came amid tensions between South Africa and the US after months of worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries. This situation is further complicated by the US having implemented a 30% tariff on South African goods, citing concerns about unfair trade practices. In June, tensions escalated between the US and Iran after the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites at Israel's request. Both ministries of International Relations and Cooperation and of Defence have since dissociated the government from Maphwanya's remarks. 'The South African government has distanced itself from the General's comments citing no knowledge of the visit yet he would have required ministerial approval. While the visit may have been mainly on military relations, it however extends to foreign policy. "This speaks to loopholes in SA's international relations and protocol particularly from senior personnel such as the General,'' said Phungula, adding that the timing of this visit and the utterances made set back efforts to mend relations with the US, particularly since there is much misinformation on the side of the US. The sentiments were echoed by Solidarity, which called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Maphwanya, warning that the visit places South Africa's relationship with the US at serious risk and threatens the country's broader international credibility and trade interests. 'It is unacceptable that South Africa, at a time when our economy urgently needs access to international markets, chooses to strengthen ties with countries such as Iran, which is internationally isolated due to its policies and actions,' said Jaco Kleynhans, head of international liaison. The DA demanded the immediate court-martial of Maphwanya for misconduct and breach of the defence force Code of Conduct, said this 'forms part of a wider pattern of foreign policy adventurism that is economically destructive, diplomatically reckless, and dangerously misaligned with South Africa's national interest'. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said he was not aware of Maphwanya's visit to Iran, adding that he would meet him soon to discuss the trip and the consequences for the General. However, the South African Communist Party (SACP) have slammed those opposing Maphwanya's visit, saying it was part of South Africa's long-standing bilateral relations with Iran. 'The SACP rejects the impending acts of isolation and scapegoating of General Maphwanya to appease Western imperialist forces and their domestic agents, compromising South Africa's sovereign right to formulate and implement its own foreign policy, including on defence co-operation. "Any actions by the government towards General Maphwanya as Military Chief must be based on strengthening our military institutions and their capabilities, improving our defence co-operation agreements with other states to which we have full sovereign rights. 'The SACP rejects any attempt at dictating which nations South Africa may have bilateral relations with, including defence, trade and investment,' the party said in a statement.
