Ramaphosa: Govt mulling basic income grant

Ramaphosa told party members on Friday that the grant would form part of a range of packages to help the country’s unemployed. 

Ramphosa suggested that ANC-led government would look at cushioning the blow after the Covid-19 relief grant is halted at the end of the month.  

“In the relief phase of our social and economic response to the pandemic, we put in place a number of emergency economic interventions. These included a temporary Covid-19 grant, top-ups to existing social grants and transferring UIF funds to firms and employees in distress,” said Ramaphosa. 

“The social relief measures introduced by government in April last year – including the temporary top-up of social grants and the special Covid-19 grant for unemployed people – proved vital in supporting the poor at their time of greatest vulnerability.”

Ramaphosa added government would rope in broader society to discuss the issue.“As these emergency measures come to an end because of our limited resources, we need to intensify other poverty alleviation measures. This year, the ANC, government and broader society will need to continue discussions on the desirability and viability of a basic income grant to provide a social safety net to the poor,” he said. 

Ramaphosa remained tight lipped on further details. 

It’s also unclear how much the grant would cost government.