Civil society group Black Sash has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action to expand social security measures in South Africa, aligning government policies with the country’s constitutional and human rights commitments.
Earlier this month, President Ramaphosa delivered his 2025 State of the Nation Address, pledging to improve access to social support. He proposed an integrated social security system to enable vulnerable individuals to apply for and receive all necessary social assistance from a single point of contact, rather than dealing with multiple government agencies.
However, Black Sash cautioned that this digital approach could exclude some individuals. They warned that while digitisation could enhance efficiency in social services, it risks marginalising people who lack digital literacy, reliable internet access, or identity documents.
Currently, 60% of the national budget is dedicated to the social wage, which includes state-provided benefits and services aimed at alleviating poverty and inequality. This safety net covers social grants for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and children, as well as free basic services like water, electricity, and sanitation for low-income households. It also ensures access to free basic education and subsidised or free healthcare for pregnant women, children, and those living in poverty.
President Ramaphosa noted that more than 28 million vulnerable and unemployed South Africans receive social grants from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), and over 10 million children attend no-fee public schools. In 2024, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is supporting over 900,000 students pursuing further education.
Despite the extensive reach of social grants, Black Sash criticised them as insufficient to meet basic needs, especially as inflation erodes their value.
During the SONA, the President announced that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant would be used as a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of basic income support.
Introduced in 2020, the SRD grant is the only financial support available to unemployed adults in South Africa. However, not every unemployed adult automatically qualifies for the grant. The checks used by Sassa to determine SRD grant eligibility were declared unconstitutional.
Black Sash called for the rapid development of a Basic Income Grant, emphasising the need for a clear financing model for a long-term Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG).
They also demanded a social grant system that upholds dignity and is free from corruption, stressing the importance of safeguarding recipients' rights.
Ongoing issues with SRD grant applications and payments highlight the need for a more people-centred system, according to Black Sash. The organisation advocates for a hybrid service delivery model, combining digital access with walk-in centres staffed by personnel to assist those requiring help.
Black Sash also called on President Ramaphosa to honour his previous campaign promises to prioritise the Basic Income Grant, emphasising that social security is a fundamental right that must be fulfilled.
