Expert Says Child Grant Must Be Increased. In South Africa, a country grappling with a high unemployment rate of 40% among the working-age population and 55% of its citizens living in dire poverty, the current R530 child-support grant falls short of addressing the basic needs of many families. Serving as a vital safety net for approximately 13.2 million children, this grant is 30% below the food poverty line of R760, highlighting the need for urgent government intervention, according to experts.
The Plight of Families Relying on Child Support Grants
Sarah Hlongwane, a widow residing in a one-room makeshift brick structure in the Maponyane informal settlement near Marlboro Gardens, is one of the many South Africans struggling to make ends meet. Hlongwane, who cares for her family of 12 children solely on the child support grant, shared her challenges with The Citizen, stating, “When totaling up the grant money, it comes to R2,500 per month. But this is not enough to buy food for R1,500, spend R600 on school transport, and the rest goes towards rent.”
Government Measures and Expert Recommendations
The Government of National Unity (GNU) has proposed expanding the basket of essential food items exempt from value-added tax (VAT) as part of its efforts to alleviate poverty. However, Mervyn Abrahams, Programme Coordinator of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PEJD) group, argues that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the issue effectively.
While Abrahams supports the GNU’s plan to exempt more food items from VAT, he suggests that further measures are necessary to protect the most vulnerable populations:
- Cap Electricity Tariffs and Fuel Levy Prices: By controlling the costs of these essential services, the government can help reduce the financial burden on low-income households.
- Increase the Child Support Grant: Abrahams advocates for raising the child support grant to at least match the food poverty line of R760, enabling families to provide adequate nutrition for their children.
The Cost of Basic Necessities
The PEJD tracks the cost of 44 basic food items, which most low-income households aim to purchase if they have sufficient funds. As of the end of June, the cost of this basket stood at R5,257.77. While this reflects a decline compared to the previous month’s figures, the cost remains prohibitively high when considering other essential expenses such as electricity, transport, and debt servicing, which have risen above inflation.
The Insufficiency of the Current Child Support Grant
Abrahams points out that the current child support grant of R530 is inadequate for providing sufficient food for a child. According to PEJD’s research, the average cost to feed a child is R935, meaning the grant falls significantly short. This inadequacy contributes to high levels of stunting among children, particularly boys under five, with stunting rates reaching about 30%, and girls, around 25%.
The Consequences of Malnutrition
Stunting, a result of chronic undernutrition, has severe implications for children’s cognitive development and overall health. Abrahams notes, “Children who are stunted—eating the least amount of nutritious food—do not perform well in our educational system. Their educational outputs are far below what is expected. We also expect most of them to be attending clinics and hospitals more often because of exposure to diseases.”
Conclusion
In light of these challenges, it is clear that the child support grant must be increased to meet at least the food poverty line of R760. This measure, alongside capping essential service costs, could significantly alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life for millions of South African children and their families. The government must act swiftly to address these pressing issues and ensure a more equitable and just society.
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