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Of the 41,6 million people of working age in South Africa (15 – 64 years old). 8 million South Africans are unemployed, a further 3.5 million are discouraged work seekers and 13 million are not economically active.

This leaves 24,5 million South Africans with no income to support their families.

Unless the country can achieve a sustained economic growth rate of 5%, South Africa will not be able to meaningfully reduce unemployment anytime soon.

South Africa is stuck in an economic growth crisis, trapping millions of South Africans in unemployment and unacceptable high levels of poverty, we simply have no choice but to implement a Basic Income Grant.

With the economy failing to generate jobs to provide people's basic needs, this becomes the State’s responsibility. 

In this year’s State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said “The Social Relief of Distress Grant is as an essential mechanism for alleviating extreme poverty. We will use this grant as a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people.”

The GOOD Party calls on the Government of National Unity to stop flirting with the idea of BIG and implement it. All 10 parties in the GNU agreed to create a more just society by tackling poverty, spatial inequalities and providing a social safety net.

By the State’s own reckoning, the amount of money needed to feed an adult South African, known as the food poverty line, is R796 a month. With the lower-bound poverty line sitting at R1,109 per month, allows for the purchasing of some essentials and food.

Now is the time to implement a Basic Income Grant of at least R1000 a month, above the food poverty line and just below the lower-bound poverty line, for which the GOOD Party has been advocating.

Addressing the basic needs and dignity of the millions who are excluded from the economy is not charity; it is about being fair and just, and it’s a necessity for the nation’s stability.

Issued by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General