Malema wants social grants to start at R4 500, promises allowance for unemployed graduates
EFF leader says social grant recipients receive little money.
In the lead-up to South Africa's local government elections on November 4, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has announced a series of proposals aimed at addressing the struggles faced by the country's youth. Speaking at the party's provincial manifesto launch in the North West province, Malema vowed to boost support for unemployed graduates and increase social grants to a level he deems more feasible for the impoverished population.
Presently, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, initially introduced as a temporary measure during the Covid-19 pandemic, pays R370 and has remained a critical source of income for millions of South Africans grappling with unemployment and economic hardship. However, Malema claims this amount is insufficient to sustain anyone in the current cost of living environment.
Malema emphasized that the SRD grant should not remain a permanent fixture but should be increased specifically for those with no income. Furthermore, the EFF leader promised that if graduates do not secure jobs, the party will provide them with a graduate allowance. This pledge comes in response to previous claims that education does not yield tangible results, as the ANC's promises have fallen short.
With regard to the country's elderly population, Malema criticized the low R2,400 and R2,420 monthly old-age grants. He believes these payments should begin at R4,500 to better accommodate the financial burdens faced by older South Africans.
Additionally, Malema addressed the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) scheme, calling for an overhaul of the registration process. The EFF wants all Sassa recipients to automatically receive free electricity, instead of being required to register with municipalities. He argued that funding social grants should not result in recipients paying for essential services such as water and electricity. He vowed to eliminate the debt incurred by the poor, ensuring municipalities no longer receive payments from struggling households.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
