Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the R350-per-month Social Relief Distress (SRD) grant for another year, until March 2023.
The grant was set to expire at the end of March this year, according to Business Tech.
Ramaphosa made the announcement during his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday at the City Hall in Cape Town.
“Mindful of the proven benefits of the grant, we will extend the R350 SRD Grant for one further year, to the end of March 2023. During this time, we will engage in broad consultations and technical work to identify the best options to replace this grant,” Ramaphosa said.
Mindful of the proven benefits of the grant, we will extend the R350 SRD Grant for one further year, to the end of March 2023. During this time, we will engage in broad consultations and technical work to identify the best options to replace this grant.
https://t.co/51BAT8fUuB— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 10, 2022
The president also cited one of the grant recipients, Lindokuhle Msomi, who used the grant to start a business and improve his livelihood.
ALSO READ: Civil society wants Cyril Ramaphosa to implement permanent basic income grant
“Some people used that money to start businesses. Mr Thando Makhubu from Soweto received the R350 grant for 7 months last year, and saved it to open an ice-cream store that now employs four people,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa, however, recognised the negative impact that the grant has on the country’s fiscal.
“As much as it has had a substantial impact, we must recognise that we face extreme fiscal constraints. A fiscal crisis would hurt the poor worst of all through the deterioration of the basic services on which they rely,” said Ramaphosa.
The announcement came after a number of civil societies and unions urged Ramaphosa to convert the grant into permanent income support and to increase it further.
The public has weighed in, particularly on the president’s example of Thando Makhubu, with many saying it was a poor example.
Take a look at some of the reactions below:
Come on my G. https://t.co/RhpKQ0n81x
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) February 11, 2022
Now this is a conspiracy theory. https://t.co/VEFb4WU3JV
— Ziie. ✍? (@ZiieRadebe) February 11, 2022
People that managed to save their R350 grant Didn’t need it. https://t.co/otyWQS0Eh7
— Olebogeng (@SireOlebogeng) February 11, 2022
“Government can’t create employment but R350 can create self-employment”, says Ramaphosa.
— Mpho Edward Morokolo (@edwardkolobe) February 10, 2022
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Picture: Twitter/@PresidencyZA
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
