BIG READ: The BIG question – will the ANC make good on its prosperity promise?
With the local elections nearing, the party partly in power should take a bold step by issuing a tough basic income grant policy for better equality.
As South Africa gears up for the local government elections in November, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces increasing pressure to deliver on its promise of creating a basic income grant (BIG). Political analyst DMTlou Seopa notes that while the ANC has consistently declared its commitment to implementing the BIG, recent actions taken by the finance ministry have made this goal increasingly elusive.
The BIG policy aims to provide a basic income for all unemployed individuals aged 18 to 59, allowing them to achieve a more dignified life. In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of equal progress shared by all South Africans. However, Seopa highlights that the budget constraints and corruption within the government, particularly in the National Treasury, have hindered progress on the BIG.
A recent legal battle has also played a role in the BIG's potential downfall. In October 2024, #PayTheGrants and the Institute for Economic Justice challenged the unfair and exclusionary regulations of the SRD grant (social relief of distress) before the High Court in Pretoria. The court ruled these regulations unconstitutional and ordered the government to adjust them accordingly.
Despite this decision, National Treasury and the Department of Social Development have actively challenged the court ruling, derailing the progress that would have been made through the BIG.
Seopa argues that the ANC's failure to implement the BIG is not only a disappointment to the South African public but also an opportunity lost to demonstrate an alternative path for the country. He emphasizes that a basic income grant is not just about giving money; it is about providing a foundation for equal economic participation and opportunities.
As the upcoming elections approach, the question remains whether the ANC will follow through on its promise of the BIG and truly make South Africa a country where everyone has access to a dignified life.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
