The poverty that haunts the country
We need to get our economy to grow and create more jobs to close the poverty gap.
While we attack each other on social media and in the letters columns of newspapers – over everything from Donald Trump to racism and B-BBEE – the reality is that we are, by our very access to these media, a privileged part of South African society regardless of our colour.
But, we don't go to bed hungry every night, like a shocking one in four of our compatriots do.
Statistics for last year show that 22.2% of households considered their access to food inadequate or severely inadequate, with the worst food access problems in the Northern Cape (34.3%), the Eastern Cape (31.3%), Mpumalanga (30.4%), and KwaZulu-Natal (23.9%).
ALSO READ: Poverty, child labour and violence push boys out of school, says Unesco
Those figures – along with the proportion of individuals receiving social grants – are a stark illustration of the poverty that haunts South Africa and of the huge gulf between the haves and the have-nots.
The proportion of the population relying on government handouts increased from 12.8% in 2003 to 30.9% in 2019 and surged to 40.1% last year, due to the introduction of the special Covid social relief of distress grant.
Many of the poorest households are headed by women, a group in our country likely to be less educated and employable, not to mention being disproportionately high numbers of crime victims. It would be easy for the heartless capitalists to say 'get a job!', when this is simply not possible for many.
So that is why it is essential that the government continue to operate this social safety net. Those same capitalists should know that hungry people are angry people and that when they have nothing to lose, violence will mean nothing to them.
ALSO READ: World Bank: 2% growth won't ease SA's poverty, unemployment
We need to get our economy to grow and create more jobs to close the poverty gap. But we need to stop taxpayers' money, which could save lives, from being looted.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
Trade war cuts global economic growth outlook: OECD
WASHINGTON - The OECD slashed its annual global growth forecast on Tuesday, warning that US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz would stifle the world economy -- hitting the United States especially hard. After 3.3-percent growth last year, the world economy is now expected to expand by a "modest" 2.9 percent in 2025 and 2026, the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said. In its previous report in March, the OECD had forecast growth of 3.1 percent for 2025 and 3.0 percent for 2026. Since then, Trump has launched a wave of tariffs that has rattled financial markets. "The global outlook is becoming increasingly challenging," said the OECD, an economic policy group of 38 mostly wealthy countries. It said "substantial increases" in trade barriers, tighter financial conditions, weaker business and consumer confidence, and heightened policy uncertainty will all have "marked adverse effects on growth" if they persist. The OECD downgraded its 2025 growth forecast for the United States from 2.2 percent to 1.6 percent. The world's biggest economy is expected to slow further next year to 1.5 percent. Trump, who has insisted that the tariffs would spark a manufacturing revival and restore a US economic "Golden Age", posted on his Truth Social platform before the OECD report's publication: "Because of Tariffs, our Economy is BOOMING!" The OECD holds a ministerial meeting in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday. US and EU trade negotiators are expected to hold talks on the sidelines of the gathering after Trump threatened to hit the European Union with 50-percent tariffs. The Group of Seven advanced economies is also holding a meeting focused on trade. "For everyone, including the United States, the best option is that countries sit down and get an agreement," OECD chief economist Alvaro Pereira said in an interview with AFP. "Avoiding further trade fragmentation is absolutely key in the next few months and years," Pereira said. Trump imposed in April a baseline tariff of 10 percent on imports from around the world. He unveiled higher tariffs on dozens of countries but has paused them until July to allow time for negotiations. The US president has also imposed 25-percent tariffs on cars and now plans to raise those on steel and aluminium to 50 percent on Wednesday.
Daily Maverick
3 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
After the Bell: Who's afraid of losing Agoa?
One of the great risks of the debate around Agoa is that it gives us something else to blame, when we should blame ourselves for our poor economy. And we must remember that it is not true that there is no cost to us from Agoa. One of the most boring discussions I've heard around our economy over the past five years has been posed as 'will we keep Agoa?' I hear it everywhere, even now, when US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants to tear up the entire trade rule book. I can understand why we keep hearing about it. There are certain sections of our economy that really benefit from it. Because of Agoa (the African Growth and Opportunity Act), they have been able to grow and employ people. And some of the arguments they can make about why Agoa matters to us are important. Free market access to the US is great for the car industry, and for our farmers. It means they are exporting goods produced here, earning dollars in return and basically importing jobs. People are employed, their kids are kept in good schools. You could argue that the entire community around Daily Maverick journalist Estelle Ellis and the rest of the Baywatch team will be badly hit if it all comes to an end. And that would be true. Farmers, too, had a bumper season exporting to the US in the first quarter of the year. They were able to increase the amount of goods they sent there dramatically in that quarter. When I first heard that, I thought, perhaps, like the Chinese (and I'm sure others), they had been rushing goods into US ports before new tariffs could come into effect. But that amazing agricultural economics guru Wandile Sihlobo told me on The Money Show on Monday night that this is not the case. It happened because our farmers have created a strong demand for their goods. And, like our car industry, we are basically importing jobs. But we should be aware that, despite these very loud and important voices in our national debate, this is not the end of the story. The Brookings Institute estimated nearly 18 months ago that 'In total, a loss of Agoa benefits would lead to a GDP decline of just 0.06%'. To put that into context, our GDP grew by just 0.1% in the first quarter of this year. At the same time, the South African Reserve Bank has generally said that load shedding was costing our GDP 2% every year. So it may matter, but only in the context of our complete inability to take action to grow our own economy. One of the great risks of this debate around Agoa is that it gives us something else to blame, when we should blame ourselves for our poor economy. And we must remember that it is not true that there is no cost to us from Agoa. In fact, a few weeks ago I was almost taken aback when an American investor (one of those wonderful people who travels the world, and is hugely interested and fascinated by it) asked me point-blank: 'Why do you all care so much about Agoa?' He even suggested that actually it went against our interests. This is because of some of the small print. If you look at the text of the Act that passed through the US Congress, the conditions of eligibility are designed to literally create African economies in the US mould. Of course, as we were so often reminded during the Lady R saga, it says that you must 'not engage in activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy interests'. This is a wonderful stick for the US to beat us with. If it wants, it could define our opposition to Israel's genocidal war on the people of Gaza as 'undermining' US 'foreign policy interests'. To be clear, there is much in Agoa that is good. It mentions that workers must be protected, that there should be political freedom and things like that. But it is still a tool of foreign policy. Yes, Agoa is helping African countries to develop. But it is also a useful instrument of control. Agoa looks finished anyway. In reality, the US system of government appears to be giving Trump whatever he wants. So far, very few Republicans have spoken against his tariff policies. But the markets are speaking. And the fact that the bond markets have forced Trump to basically chicken out has given us the wonderful phrase Taco (Trump always chickens out). So, I do think we need to be less afraid of him. He is slowly being revealed as all bark and very little bite. What we really need to do is to find Americans who lose out if we cannot export to the US. The US citrus industry, for example, needs our oranges to keep the market interested in oranges during their non-growing season. And we should not forget those strange people who drive BMW X3s. The models sold in the US are only made here. And even if they are rubbish cars (who can forget Jeremy Clarkson having to throw the sound guy out of the car to go and push, even now it's still worth watching), there is still a lobby for them in the US. I think we need to stop worrying so much about Agoa.
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: Who will replace José Riveiro in the hot seat?
Orlando Pirates find themselves at a critical juncture following the departure of head coach José Riveiro to Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Under Riveiro, the Buccaneers reclaimed silverware and re-established their competitive edge. Now, with the top job vacant, the club must identify a new leader capable of elevating the team from cup success to consistent league triumphs. The next appointment isn't just about tactics, it's about vision, identity, and ambition. Here's a look at the top contenders linked to one of South African football's most high-pressure positions, as per iDiski Times . Rulani Mokwena, recently departed from Moroccan giants Wydad AC, brings both local experience and international perspective. He previously led the Buccaneers in an interim capacity, and his time with Mamelodi Sundowns saw him mature into a top-level tactician. Having tasted success across the continent, Mokwena could be poised for a high-profile return, though expectations will be far higher than during his first stint. Pablo Franco Martin blends analytical insight with international coaching experience. Best known locally for his time at AmaZulu, he recently left Saudi side Al-Faisaly and has managed in Spain's top flight with Getafe. His progressive style may suit Pirates' desire to dominate possession and control games with finesse. Pablo Machín made headlines in Spain for guiding Girona to their first-ever LaLiga promotion. His journey through elite clubs like Sevilla and Espanyol speaks volumes, but adapting to the intensity and unpredictability of Orlando Pirates is a different challenge altogether. His tactical rigidity might either provide much-needed structure, or clash with the PSL's expressive nature. Former Raja Casablanca manager Ricardo Sá Pinto brings a fiery touchline presence and a high-tempo style of football. With coaching stints across Europe, Asia, and Africa, he has lifted trophies at clubs such as Standard Liège, Esteghlal, and APOEL. Sá Pinto's charisma and intensity might ignite a spark at Pirates, but could his volatility prove a risk? Abdeslam Ouaddou may not be the loudest name on the list, but his recent success at Marumo Gallants speaks volumes. He stabilised the struggling side and earned praise for quickly turning things around. A former Moroccan international with European experience, Ouaddou could be a surprise choice, yet one with genuine upside. When you think of African coaching excellence, Pitso Mosimane inevitably comes to mind. With three CAF Champions League titles and historic success at Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, he remains one of the most decorated coaches on the continent. However, with his current focus on Middle Eastern projects and youth development through his football schools, a return to the PSL, and specifically Pirates, appears improbable. Already part of the technical staff, Mandla Ncikazi understands the club's ethos and squad dynamics better than most. He briefly co-led the side during a transitional period and remains a respected figure within the setup. While he offers continuity and cohesion, questions linger about whether he has the stature and tactical sharpness to lead a title charge. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
