Social grant needed: Verulam mother
While the debate rages on over government's sustainability of its social grant system, which serves as a much-needed cushion for many South Africans, some parents and caregivers are hoping for an increase when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers his Budget Speech today.
Verulam resident, Makhosi Tembe lives with her unemployed sister and her four children. Only one of the children has a birth certificate and is a beneficiary of government's social grant.
Tembe says she earns R100 a day.
"I use the R330 to pay for two of the four children's school transport and in total it's R340 a month. I'm a domestic worker in Umhlanga working three days a week and earning R100 a day. I use R40 of this R100 everyday for transport," she said.
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Last year, Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene increased the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants by R60 to R1 410.
Child support grants increased to R330 and Foster care grants increased by R30 to R860. Tembe says he hopes for another much-needed increase in the child support grant.
Gordhan is tabling his budget speech today.
(File photo)