To begin to deal with South Africa’s persistent poverty, high unemployment, and the economic aftermath of the pandemic, grant increases must remain in place after the six month period.
To support precarious households that can’t access existing relief during lockdown and its aftermath, the government should implement a temporary increase in the value of the child support grant.
A clandestine system of transfer payment, with roots in apartheid-era boycotts, has developed into routine behaviour on which many family budgets now depend.
South Africa’s latest budget was a necessary stop-gap after the ravages of the past decade. But it didn’t have ideas that addressed the needs of poor people.
Women who don’t get enough to eat while pregnant face a high risk of developing common mental illnesses like depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after giving birth.
South Africa’s public works programme is a laudable idea. But it must be closely monitored to make sure it doesn’t lead to unintended consequences, especially for women.
Tackling the challenge of stunting in South Africa needs a convergence of science and policy along with better coordination at all levels of government.
Jenita Chiba, University of Johannesburg and Jacqueline Moodley, University of Johannesburg
Child support grants are an income resource that enables caregivers to make healthier food choices and provide the means to send their children to school earlier.
South Africa’s social grants, which benefit a third of the country’s population, are widely celebrated. But these grants fall far short of addressing the country’s malnutrition challenge.