The president said the minister of finance was consulting with social development about possibly increasing the social relief of distress grant
South Africa’s economy has stagnated and policymakers ought to be looking for solutions that move us forward
But Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says beyond that mark, a comprehensive review of all welfare grants is needed
The real issue is that the February 2023 budget was the least credible assessment of the country’s finances since 1994
The governing party asks voters to ignore its failings and focus on its long-term successes
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Mining windfall helped SA’s financial position, but lower revenues and additional spending will delay the end of fiscal consolidation
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The under-investment in cash transfers and caring services by the government suggests that many may well fall still further behind
The social development department has been allocated R35.7 billion to fund the extended social relief of distress grant
The utility’s R400 billion debt has fed into the country’s 15-year energy crisis and low growth potential, which has been identified as a key credit weakness
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No legal provision for calling a state of disaster because your cabinet is incompetent and your government incapable, panel hears
The minister’s medium-term budget policy statement had to balance the fiscal risk of state-owned entities and the threat their collapse posed for the economy
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The finance ministry confirmed that it is still mulling whether and how to replace the interim measure with a basic income grant
The threshold to qualify for the R350 social relief of distress grant will be raised to R624 from the current R350, but the grant itself remains at R350.
The government needs to cough up for an effective basic income grant if it wants to achieve a 6% GDP growth rate
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Threshold changes, uncertainty and language barriers leave people without the meagre lifeline
In its economic survey, the OECD recommends increasing VAT or broadening the base of corporate and personal income taxes to pay for the grant
It could prove difficult for government to loosen its grip on the public purse, but economists say the current extraordinary circumstances require intervention
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Some of the conditions in which the July unrest occurred have abated but others, such as the spiralling cost of living, have worsened
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Disagreements over a basic income grant, labour law reform and how to save the economy mean consensus is still far off. But trade-offs – and political shifts – will eventually have to be made for there to be any hope of real change
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A long-term basic income relief measure will depend on spending cuts and improved revenue performance, the finance minister said in his guarded words on the subject
Political parties and trade unions are asking the finance minister to address the growing national debt crisis and to extend the R350 grant
In the meantime, government will mull the best options to replace this grant with another form of income support
A basic income grant could add 0.5% to GDP growth by 2025, according to a report commissioned by the National Economic Development and Labour Council.
Covid-19 cast the economy adrift, but a less punishing new phase of the pandemic could set it back on track
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All beneficiaries who applied for the R350 relief grant before July 2021, must reapply. Here is how to track your application status
Godongwana warns that the outer limits of the budget are non-negotiable as a debt cliff loomed
Nearly half of the population in South Africa — one of the most unequal countries in the world — is considered chronically poor.
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The latest unemployment figures show deepening joblessness and continuous setbacks
All indicators, including the employment statistics released this week show how black women bear the brunt of unemployment. Here are their stories
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Treasury officials will model the effect of the grant on the fiscus if the need arises
Previously, the government had said people aged between 18 and 35 years would be eligible to be vaccinated only from September
The new finance minister has a difficult task, but analysts say his political capital will help him hold a hard line on state spending