Nearly half of the almost 60 million South African population are now receiving a social grant, the presidency has said.

According to president Cyril Ramaphosa, the extension of the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for another year will provide basic support for around 10 million unemployed South Africans as they look for work.

Writing in his weekly open letter to the public, the head of state said that the grant significantly broadened the country’s social safety net, with around 46% of the population now receiving them.

“Few South Africans need to be reminded how devastating the Covid-19 pandemic has been for our economy,” he said. “Despite the substantial economic and social support package we introduced in 2020, businesses have gone under and as many as two million people have lost their jobs.

“Many households have been spared from hunger only due to the increases in social grants.”

He added that the pandemic has further worsened the country’s financial position, as less revenue was collected and more money had to be spent on strengthening the health response and providing social support.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk