Over 50% of householes benefit from grants
The share of individuals receiving social grants climbed from 12.8% in 2003 to 30.9% by 2019, before spiking to 40-point-1-percent last year.
This sharp rise is largely attributed to the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant.
It was introduced as a temporary measure, but has since become a lifeline for millions facing unemployment and rising living costs.
According to the latest General Household Survey released by Statistics South Africa,
the proportion of households receiving at least one grant increased from 30.8% in 2002 to over 50% last year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
18 hours ago
- IOL News
Zoleka Lisa on steering SAB through booze bans while driving impact and growth
Zoleka Lisa, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, South African Breweries (SAB). Image: Supplied Zoleka Lisa is VP of Corporate Affairs at South African Breweries (SAB), where she oversees public policy, communications, stakeholder relations, entrepreneurship, and social impact. She moved from a senior role at Accenture into the alcohol industry to influence economic development and social initiatives on a national scale. Lisa has led SAB through major challenges, including complex COVID-19 alcohol bans, and is committed to mentoring emerging leaders, promoting responsible business, and driving inclusive growth across South Africa. What first inspired you to do what you do – and what was the moment that changed everything for you? My journey has always been fueled by curiosity, a relentless desire to understand the forces shaping our world and society. Growing up in a home that prioritised education, resilience, empathy, and purpose, I learned early on the value of discipline and kindness from my parents and grandmother. While I didn't have a specific dream career in mind, these values laid the foundation for my leadership journey. The pivotal moment came when I transitioned from a senior role at Accenture to the South African Breweries. That leap from management consulting to an industry that touches everyday lives enabled me to directly influence economic development, entrepreneurship, and social impact on a large scale, giving my work deeper meaning. What's the biggest challenge you've faced on your journey, and how did you push through it? One of the most critical challenges was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after being promoted to Vice President of Corporate Affairs. We faced complex alcohol bans that threatened the sustainability of our entire value chain, impacting livelihoods across the industry. Balancing government policy objectives with protecting workers and entrepreneurs required immense resilience, strategic dialogue, and collaboration. I could have stepped back, but instead I leaned into tenacity, surrounding myself with strong leaders and mentors to guide us through. That experience reinforced the importance of perseverance, agility, and compassionate leadership in crisis. What achievement are you most proud of, the one that still makes you smile when you think about it? I am deeply proud of leading a passionate team of change agents who are transforming how the industry engages with society. Together, we have driven impactful initiatives that uplift communities, promote responsible consumption, and foster entrepreneurship. Equally rewarding is mentoring emerging leaders—especially women—who have found their voices, seized opportunities, and gone on to lead with confidence. Seeing those individuals thrive and make their mark is a source of great joy and pride for me. 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 What makes your role or career path different or special in South Africa? My role sits at the intersection of business growth, social impact, and national development, a unique vantage point in South Africa's complex landscape. As Vice President at SAB, I oversee public policy, communications, stakeholder relations, entrepreneurship, and social impact portfolios, which are central to how we build meaningful, responsible relationships with society. This position enables me to influence policies that support local industries, embed shared values into our growth, and contribute to transformative initiatives that resonate beyond business metrics. Serving on industry and community boards allows me to champion change that benefits the broader South African economy and society. How do you think the work you do is making a difference – whether in your industry, your community, or for other women? I believe in creating opportunities where people, especially women and youth, can flourish and thrive. Through SAB and the SAB Foundation, we invest in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and social upliftment to ensure inclusive growth. This work is about more than business; it's about empowering communities and nurturing leaders who will shape South Africa's future. I am deeply inspired by the resilience and tenacity of women who overcome adversity daily, and mentoring them to find their leadership voices is one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. What's the one piece of advice you'd give to a young woman who dreams of following a similar path? Make yourself proud. In large organisations, it's easy to get lost trying to please everyone or meet endless expectations. Instead, focus on your own goals, build a clear career plan, and identify supporters and sponsors who believe in your potential. Lean into that network and, most importantly, show up for yourself every day, through your work, your learning, and your leadership. Your journey is yours to own, and success is measured by how true you stay to your values and ambitions. Who's been the biggest influence or mentor in your career? My greatest influences have been my family, especially my parents and grandmother, who taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of education. They provided the emotional and moral compass that guides me today. Beyond family, I find inspiration in African changemakers, many of whom are not public figures but community leaders demonstrating unwavering commitment to development, women's empowerment, and social justice. Their courage and values constantly motivate me to lead with purpose. What's one myth about your job or industry you'd love to clear up? Many assume the alcohol industry only fuels irresponsible drinking or that our work is all about parties. In reality, we invest heavily in educating consumers about moderation and responsibility because lives and livelihoods depend on it. Like any business, our days are filled with deadlines, strategic planning, public policy engagement, and financial analysis to ensure our impact is meaningful and lasting. If you could give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? Trust your own voice and show up for yourself and your team unapologetically. Finding my authentic voice and leadership style has been a journey of embracing all parts of myself, whether it's being a supermom at home, a dedicated leader at work, or showing up with my all-stars, my blue (and sometimes blonde) hair in boardrooms. Through this authenticity, I've created a space where diverse voices are genuinely heard and valued. Leadership isn't about fitting into a mould; it's about leaning into your strengths, committing to continuous learning, and fostering environments that empower others to do the same. When leaders show up unapologetically, being self-aware and embracing their unique journeys, they inspire confidence and courage, not only in themselves but in everyone around them, building stronger, more inclusive teams and communities. When you think back to the subjects you chose in high school or what you studied afterwards, did you ever imagine you'd end up where you are today – and how did that journey unfold? I often laugh and say I was definitely more of a nerdy 'thank you, professor' type than someone who was cool, but deeply curious about how the world worked and why. When I went to university, I studied Environmental Science and Economics, fields that gave me a broad perspective on how complex systems operate. Early in my career, I focused heavily on strategy and consulting, working with top global companies like Accenture. That foundation in problem-solving and business acumen has been invaluable. Now, as Head of Corporate Affairs for South African Breweries, I truly feel I've come full circle in my journey. Along the way, I pursued executive development programs at the London School of Economics and Stanford, which sharpened my strategic thinking and leadership skills. Today, I'm able to apply everything I'm passionate about, strategy, socio-economic insight, and geopolitical understanding, to work that is both meaningful and impactful. This blend of experiences, combined with deeply held values, has shaped me not just as a leader but also as a mother and a person. It's a journey I hope to continue paying forward by mentoring others and contributing to the growth of the next generation of leaders. IOL
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Responses to US tariff increases may trigger closer tax scrutiny
Graphene Economics says even Mauritius is looking into intra-group transactions more closely. Global crises – such as the 2008 financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent international trade tensions created by US President Donald Trump – generally result in renewed focus on tax collection, particularly from multinational companies. Tax authorities will take a closer look at companies' transfer pricing policies and whether prices are being adjusted because of outside shocks, or whether the tariff increases are a convenient opportunity to shift profits to head office countries, warns Michael Hewson, director at Graphene Economics. Transfer pricing is the price set when different parts of the same company, like its branches or subsidiaries, buy and sell things from each other – whether it is products, services, or ideas. Transfer pricing policies influence how much tax a company pays in the countries where it operate. ALSO READ: US tariffs: SA sends new proposal but no changes to laws Reduced prices Hewson says companies may react to the punitive tariffs introduced by the US by reducing the price of goods they export to the US in order to remain competitive. The risk is that they will lose market share if they do not make price adjustments to respond to the increased tariffs. This, says Hewson, may attract the attention of revenue authorities. 'The South African Revenue Service [Sars] may challenge why prices to a related party in the US are now lower than prices to third parties in other countries,' he explains. Hewson gives the example of a local manufacturer. If a global retailer, which manufacturers in China and other markets affected by high tariffs, sells more into SA, the demand for the local manufacturer's products may reduce. Especially if the prices charged by the global retailer reduce. This would impact the profitability of the local manufacturer. 'These reduced profits may cause Sars to ask whether the lower profits are due to its transfer pricing policy, even though it's actually impacted by external commercial factors.' ALSO READ: US tariff an existential threat for a third of metals and engineering sector Commercial rational Companies need to carefully record their decisions for making pricing adjustments, along with the commercial rationale behind them. When a dispute arises, it may be years after the actual event, and it can be quite a challenge to find the right documentation – or even people who were involved in the decision-making at the time. Hewson says Graphene Economics is increasingly receiving transfer pricing queries from countries it had not previously heard from. It has seen a notable increased focus on transfer pricing policies from East and West Africa. 'Governments are seeing transfer pricing as a big opportunity for revenue collections and the global shocks are proliferating the attention.' The work done by institutions such as the African Tax Administration Forum (Ataf), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations, and the World Bank have assisted with capacity building, training, and the introduction of transfer pricing legislation into Africa. There has also been increased information sharing between Sars and revenue authorities in East Africa and West Africa. Mauritius, too, has recently been scrutinising intra-group transactions more closely and the number of audits has increased – something that has been unheard of in the recent past, notes Hewson. ALSO READ: Transfer pricing: 'Days of pleading ignorance are over' Reducing risk and costs Important tools to mitigate disputes with tax authorities include advanced pricing agreements (APAs) and mutual agreement procedures (MAPs). Hewson says there are several companies in SA that are keen to enter into APAs with the tax authorities. The main aim of an APA is to establish how prices will be set for future transactions, thereby reducing the risk of disputes following an audit, and the possibility of double taxation. Draft legislation for a proposed APA Programme was introduced in 2023 and according to ENSafrica, the draft bill included a clause indicating that a chapter on the APA programme will be inserted into the Income Tax Act. 'The introduction of the APA programme is a positive and significant development in South Africa's efforts to enhance its tax administration system. It provides taxpayers with an alternative, binding arrangement with Sars, and it will also offer upfront certainty on transfer pricing positions for a defined period,' the firm said at the time. Hewson notes that companies generally do not care where their profits are taxed, but they want to avoid double taxation. Several countries in Africa are using APAs. MAPs, on the other hand, offer a safety net when double taxation has already occurred due to tax authorities taking different positions. The key differences between APAs and MAPs Source: Microsoft Co-Pilot This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Retail sales growth slows in June amid mixed consumer sentiment
On a quarterly basis, seasonally adjusted retail sales rose by 0.9% in the second quarter, suggesting a positive contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the period. South Africa's retail sector has experienced a modest uptick in sales, reporting a year-on-year increase of 1.6% in June 2025. This figure marks a notable moderation from the robust 4.3% surge witnessed in May, according to Statistics South Africa. The latest data highlight a mixed performance across various retail categories. Sales for textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods saw a decrease, alongside a decline in food, beverages, tobacco, and general dealers. Conversely, other sectors showed promising gains. Retailers of household furniture, appliances, and equipment; pharmaceuticals and medical goods; as well as cosmetics and toiletries, reported a remarkable increase of 4.2% compared to previous figures, signalling consumer preference shifts. Moreover, hardware, paint, and glass products also experienced growth, indicating that while some segments of the retail market faced challenges, others thrived amidst an evolving economic landscape. On a quarterly basis, seasonally adjusted retail sales rose by 0.9% in the second quarter, suggesting a positive contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the period. While retail sales remained flat monthly, the overall trade advanced by 3.7% compared to the second quarter of the previous year, reflecting resilience in certain retail segments. Investec economist Lara Hodes attributed part of this growth to a favourable economic backdrop for consumers, characterised by low inflation and recent monetary easing. A further interest rate cut announced in July has seen a cumulative decrease of 125 basis points since the easing cycle commenced, which has placed more disposable income in consumers' hands. 'Real take-home pay, adjusted for inflation, is still notably up on year-ago levels,' Hodes noted, referencing data from BankservAfrica. However, she cautioned that domestic challenges and global uncertainties have taken a toll on consumer confidence, which remains subdued. Hodes highlighted that unemployment has picked up slightly in the second quarter, with the rate increasing by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter to reach an elevated 33.2%. The combination of these factors illustrates a nuanced picture for South African consumers; while some are reaping the benefits of economic conditions, others are still grappling with job insecurity. The latest retail data thus serves as a reminder of the mixed realities facing South Africans. As the economy navigates through both local and global challenges, consumers remain cautiously optimistic yet uncertain about the future of their financial wellbeing. BUSINESS REPORT
