A critical analysis of the sustainability of the Social Relief Distress grant in South Africa

Abstract

One of the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa was a lockdown. This led to a massive loss of income and financial support for South Africans. Consequently, there was an increase in unemployment rates due to the lockdown restrictions, leading to lack of social and economic sustainability for many individuals. As a result, the government saw it fit to assist as section 27(2) of the Constitution enjoins the state to assist those who were unable to support themselves and their dependants through the provision of social assistance. The issue is that the Social Relief Distress grant was implemented as a temporary measure; however, the current plans is to make it a permanent grant. The study aims to analyse the socio and economic sustainability of the SRD grant to its beneficiaries and the country. Thus, the main objective of the study was to examine the current state of unemployment and job opportunities and the impact they make to the social and economic standard of the country and its citizens. While establishing the effects of social grants in addressing unemployment and how refocusing the attention from grants implementation to job creation can ensure social and economic sustainability. This study adopted a qualitative research method and a comparative research analysis. As a result, it finds that the SRD grant is not socially and economically sustainable as a temporary or permanent measure to relief unemployment. Therefore, making recommendations on how the government can breach the gap between poverty and social welfare and implement measures, programmes and policies that will positively impact and sustain the social and economic standards of the unemployed and the country.