The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant was implemented by the Department of Social Development during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide relief to families impacted across the country.
However, the department has also encouraged grant recipients to not be discouraged from seeking further employment opportunities as it will only benefit them.
During his 2022 State of the Nation Address President Cyril Ramaphosa shined a light on how two young unemployed South Africans who used their R350 SRD grant to start small businesses.
Following the president's tributes, several individuals have shared stories on how they have used the grant to make a means and earn an income.
Self-taught nail tech from Randfontein, Jabulile says she started a business in 2020 with money saved up from the R350 grant.
I took the R350, and I saved it for like three or four months and that’s when I started to buy my first kits.
She now runs a successful nail bar and studio in her parents' backyard.
Jabulile says she gained various skills by watching videos on social media, for example, YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok.
“On a good day I can make one point something {more than R1000} and on a normal day I make R500."
She says the grant has helped her make more money than she anticipated and has encouraged other grant recipients to do the same and pursue ventures that they are passionate about.
Jabulile advises:
I would say, find something that you like because that is something that’s gonna drive you… and then find something that people are not used too.. an idea that will benefit you for the long term.
Earlier this year it was revealed that 60% of the national budget is spent on social wages, which includes providing free services to indigent households and setting up social grants to support millions of South Africans.
While the R350 SRD grant is expected to come to end in March 2024, work is currently underway to develop ‘targeted basic income support’ in South Africa that will be permanently implemented to support jobless people in need.
