Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Universal Basic Income Grant

latest news & developments
The ANC’s claim on black voters still rests on a story of deliverance. The SACP’s claim rests on a story of unfinished deliverance. Both stories derive legitimacy from the same past but they license different futures
2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Mbalula: SACP’s decision to contest elections will split members

There are concerns that the decision will weaken the ANC in future elections

  • Mandisa Makgakga
4 min read
Inadequate cover: One way to help ease poverty in Southern Africa is to implement a basic income grant. File photo
ACTIONSA UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME

The overlooked potential of basic income in addressing socio economic crises

The failure of parties to punt a universal BIG in their manifestos ahead of the elections is a worrisome signal

  • Isobel Frye
9 min read
The expansion of social grants has been one of the most significant redistributive measures in democratic South Africa. Grants now support millions of children, older persons, and people with disabilities. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CLIMATE CHANGE

A universal basic income grant in South Africa is a national imperative

A comprehensive policy might not be a silver bullet to all woes but it may help to kickstart economic growth

  • Nomahlubi Jakuja
  • Isobel Frye
5 min read
In Africa, where women make up 45% of entrepreneurs — the highest rate globally — gender disparity in access to funding remains a significant barrier to economic equity and growth. (Getty Images)
ANITA BOSCH

Excluded from the economy, but ‘women work all the time’

More women than men are unemployed, partly because they are engaged in unpaid labour: caregiving, cooking and cleaning

  • Anathi Madubela
  • Sarah Smit
6 min read
Covid-19 cast the economy adrift, but a less punishing new phase of the pandemic could set it back on track. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
ALEXANDER FORBES

2022: A return to normality or more economic uncertainty?

Covid-19 cast the economy adrift, but a less punishing new phase of the pandemic could set it back on track

  • Sarah Smit
8 min read
UIF queues: Experts say if joblessness continues to climb past 34.4% of the work force, the economy risks becoming unviable. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ANDREW KERR

‘Explosive’ jobs crisis imperils South Africa

Experts’ strategies for fixing the unemployment crisis range from devaluing the rand to a universal income grant or accepting debt from loans

  • Sarah Smit
7 min read
Reeling: Volunteers and workers clean up the looted Bara Mall in Soweto. The destruction and theft in the country is a more than R50-million blow to the already struggling economy. (Lucas Sola/AFP)
ALEXANDER FORBES

Violence sparks new calls for basic income grant

Analysts agree that economic relief for the poor is needed but are split on whether a grant should be permanent and whether it is affordable

  • Sarah Smit
8 min read
BISHOPS FOUNDATION

Mboweni talk disrupted by chants of ‘austerity kills’

The Thursday-night discussion was held a week after riots gripped the nation, renewing calls for a basic income grant

  • Sarah Smit
2 min read