Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Monday once again came out in favour of a basic income grant.
”I hope our government can rethink the need for a basic income grant,” said Tutu, addressing the South African Council of Churches triennial conference in Johannesburg.
Tutu said overseas research showed that once income grants were achieved, the health of children improved, their attendance at school rose and so did their achievement level.
Tutu also said that government should also invest in better health and housing, and good education.
Tackling the issue of crime, Tutu said people needed a sense of pride and respect within themselves if they were not to commit crimes.
”Why is it that there is no sense of shame when we steal pension money? Where is our pride and respect?”
Tutu said that problems within South Africa had to be tackled as a national project.
”It’s not economics that needs to drive us, it’s our theology,” he said. — Sapa