Basic income grant likely for unemployed South Africans

The Department of Social Development (DSD) announced its plan to provide basic income support to citizens aged 18 to 59.

In a briefing with Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development, the department informed Parliament about the progress made in developing the Basic Income Support Policy.

“Work on the policy has been ongoing, with the first draft of the policy having been presented to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster Cabinet Committee on 26 November 2024,” said Department spokesperson Bathembu Futshane.

The committee emphasised the need for more consultations to discuss the policy. Members also suggested holding meetings with internal stakeholders to focus on the policy’s affordability and how proposed beneficiaries could be linked to economic opportunities.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH DSD

An interdepartmental workshop was held to communicate the directive of collaboration. According to Futshane, the workshop affirmed the need to link the policy’s beneficiaries to other employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

“A follow up workshop will be held in June 2025. Followed by bilateral engagements with the Presidency, the Department of Labour and National Treasury,” said Futshane.

He said once the consultations are concluded, DSD will approach the cabinet committee in the second quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year. They will request cabinet to consider the revised policy. Once the policy is approved, it will be published for public comments.

R370 GRANT TO CONTINUE

Futshane said that in order to ensure stability during the consultation period, the department will consult National Treasury for the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant be extended. The grant will remain in place until the legislative process is complete.

Beneficiaries will be protected from extreme poverty and vulnerability while they wait for the policy to come into effect.

“The Department, has for the interim, been granted an extension by the National Treasury to continue with this provision for the 2025-2026 financial year,” concluded Futshane.