Latest News & Developments
basic income grant
Soaring food costs squeeze South Africans
This spike in food costs continues to negatively affect the poor, who are already bearing the brunt of the sluggish economy and instability.
Black Sash urges government to turn SRD grant into meaningful Basic Income Grant
Black Sash has welcomed the ANC’s renewed commitment to converting the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant into a permanent Basic Income Grant (BIG), but warns that it must be more than a symbolic change.
Treasury proposes R350 SRD grant extension funded from VAT Increase
If the National Treasury could have its way, the R350 SRD should be extended at a cost of R35. 2 billion.
Godongwana urged to increase social grants in line with food inflation
The value of social grants has been decreasing due to the exorbitant cost of living.
Godongwana urged to increase social grants in line with food inflation
The value of social grants has been decreasing due to the exorbitant cost of living.
Government responds to Sassa card renewal crisis with deadline extension
Growing frustration over gold-to-black card migration prompts delay to March 20
Elderly queue from 3am for SASSA card exchange
Elderly South Africans face long queues and challenges as they transition from SASSA Gold Cards to new Postbank Black Cards, raising concerns about accessibility and support.
SASSA card switchover chaos as deadline looms
This week, the provincial DSD highlighted challenges following Sassa’s urgent announcement to replace their gold cards with the new black card.
Postbank ensures ‘no beneficiary left behind’ amid card switch over challenges
Postbank is working to ensure that no grant beneficiary is left behind as the deadline for the new black card approaches, despite challenges raised by the Western Cape Department of Social Development
Deadline looms: Black Sash warns of accessibility challenges for Sassa beneficiaries
Beneficiaries who do not replace their cards in time will be unable to withdraw funds, make transactions, or check balances as the cards will be deactivated.
SONA 2025: How the expanded Social Relief Grant could pave the way for basic income in South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement to expand the social relief of distress grant aims to provide a sustainable income for the unemployed, with hopes of implementing a Basic Income Grant.
Important notice: replace your Sassa gold card with Postbank black card before February 28
Sassa gold cards will stop working on February 28, irrespective of the expiry date printed on the card.
Disappointment for elderly pensioners as Ithala bank struggles with cash withdrawals
Its clients came from all walks of life, including small business owners, young families, farmers, and elderly people who had relied on Ithala to help secure their future.
Economists weigh in on impact of Social Relief of Distress grant expansion
The Gauteng High Court ruling declaring certain SRD grant regulations unconstitutional has elicited mixed reactions from economists, with concerns over fiscal challenges and sustainability of South Africa's social security system.
Court’s SRD grant ruling, ‘a victory for most vulnerable’
Judge Leonard Twala also declared that regulations relating to the Covid-19 SRD are unconstitutional and invalid
Urgent call to restore eKYC system for SRD grant beneficiaries
Bridget Masango urges Sassa to reinstate the eKYC system as thousands of eligible SRD grant beneficiaries face identity verification challenges, jeopardising their access to essential support
KZN legislature hosts public engagement on Social Development and CoGTA budgets
KZN Legislature invites the public to participate in upcoming sessions discussing the 2025/26 budgets and performance plans for the Department of Social Development and CoGTA.
Calls for action as hunger and health crises grow
Heala advocates for urgent discussions on hunger and food insecurity in South Africa, highlighting the need for policy reform and the expansion of the Health Promotion Levy to combat child hunger and improve public health.
How Cosatu is shaping South Africa's future through Parliament
Explore the significant legislative achievements of Parliament in 2024, highlighting Cosatu's role in advocating for workers' rights and social justice.
LETTER: Addressing South Africa's economic divide
‘As a people of faith we reject and protest against this horrendous normalisation of inhumanity where economic injustice has become naturalised. ’
Sassa's online system at risk of cyber threats
The students discovered several alleged vulnerabilities using a combination of randomly generated South African ID numbers and public access to Sassa’s Application Programming Interface (API).
Austerity: A club to bludgeon the poor
If the ANC blindly continues with austerity it will be removed from power. We do not have a left party and will not have one for as long as the SACP and Cosatu remain tied to the ANC and Numsa and Abahlali baseMjondolo do not work towards building an inclusive mass-based left project.
LETTER: Cancelling the SRD grant is wrong and reckless
‘Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision to cancel the R370 a month Social Relief of Distress grant next year despite the economy being forecast to continue growing too slowly to generate jobs spits in the faces of millions. . . ’
Mismatch in R350 grant projections and spending blamed for R4bn under-spend
Due to the substantial size of the grants budget, a small error margin between projections and actual may appear alarming if the rand value is considered in isolation.
‘Procedural barriers’ of SRD grant under judicial spotlight
The regulations of the Social Relief of Distress grants are being challenged in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.