By Musa Zondo
Many international reports have said that South Africa has the largest inequalities in the world which creates many challenges. The world bank says South Africa’s social grant system is therefore commendable as its cushions those who are struggling. There are others who have said that South Africa possibly has the largest welfare system in the world.
“Despite being an upper middle income country, South Africa’s high inequality and the long-lasting legacies of apartheid mean that the country is faced with numerous development challenges, many of which are characteristic of countries with much lower incomes,” reads the World Bank’s Social Assistance Programmes and Systems Review.
Many feel that this isn’t enough. According to the Western Cape government’s website, one must earn less than R61 200 as an individual or less than R122 400 as a couple to qualify for a child grant. This rule is strict, irrespective of the number of children people have.
22-year-old Durban resident, Zintle Nogqala, disagrees with this stipulation.
“I think the grant should be for everyone. Just because someone is earning a bit more doesn’t mean they are less needy. I mean, some have big families, some are raising kids with special needs and on top of this, having to pay university fees,” Nogqala explained.
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) acting CEO, Themba Matlou, says he is aware that there might be struggling families who would like to receive social grants, but don’t qualify. He says that South Africans need to understand that there are strict rules and regulations. Some of these families could be single parent households with two or more children.
“It is the responsibility of the parent or individual earning more than the amount stipulated in the threshold to make to take care of their children, even when there is more than two or three,” said Matlou.
Matlou further stated that SASSA is aware that there are individuals who receive grants through fraud, largely by lying about the primary caregiver of the child. He said that they need to be aware that they could be blocking those who are really desperate for such help and that their investigations often catch them out.
He was speaking in Umhlanga’s Premier Hotel on Thursday night.
