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Social Grants

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Grant: With youth unemployment so high, the informal and gig economy is realistically the primary absorber of young workers for the foreseeable future. Photo: Sassa

Grants, hustles and debt – the patchwork economy keeping millions afloat

South Africa's economy has seen little growth in over a decade, with official unemployment at 33% and a real figure closer to 43%. Discover how citizens, particularly the youth,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a keynote address at the 2026 Freedom Day National Commemoration held at Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State Province, marking the 32nd anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994. (GCIS)

Ramaphosa calls for ‘real change’ as SA marks 32 years of democracy

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s democracy must be measured by its ability to deliver real, material improvements in people’s lives

In need of work opportunities: Job seekers gathered outside a store in Tswelopele, Tembisa, to apply for
employment. Photo: Twitter / X

SA marks 32 years of democracy amid deep inequality and joblessness

South Africa’s 32nd Freedom Day highlights both democratic gains and ongoing struggles with inequality, unemployment and poverty

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)

Social Grants get R292.8bn boost

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has confirmed increases to social grants, including old-age, disability and child support, supporting 26.5 million South Africans amid high…

Food insecurity:
Households
typically move
through stages:
worrying about
running out of
food; cutting
portions or
compromising
diet quality;
skipping meals;
and ultimately
going a whole
day without
eating. Photo:
File

Hunger rising sharply across SA households

South Africa’s hunger crisis is deepening, with millions of households skipping meals and children facing severe deprivation, a new report warns

The high court in Johannesburg has ruled against JDG Trading. Illustration: Lisa Nelson

Loan company exploited social grant beneficiaries, high court rules

The Johannesburg high court found the company’s product was at odds with the National Credit Act

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (GCIS)

Ramaphosa touts youth jobs drive as StatsSA data paints grim unemployment picture

The statistics agency’s youth report notes worsening joblessness, hunger and safety concerns among South Africa’s youth

More than a quarter of South African children under the age of five are chronically malnourished. That’s bad for them, their families and the economy. (Envato)

Childhood stunting is also stunting South Africa’s economy

More than a quarter of children under the age of five in the country are chronically malnourished

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Godongwana trims spending, lowers growth forecast

In his third prepared budget for the year, the minister said government debt would still stabilise this year but at 77.4% of GDP, higher than predicted in March

The 2025 budget  must empower the poor and end socio-economic exclusion. Photo: Supplied

Budget: Blanket refusal to consider additional revenue sources limits policy options

Budget choices must empower the poor and end socio-economic exclusion

President Cyril Ramaphosa and DA leader John Steenhuisen. (GCIS)

Budget deadlock threatens governance stability, small parties warn

Members of the government of national unity and opposition parties have raised concerns that the ongoing impasse between the ANC and DA could trigger the need for fresh elections

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Photo: Dwayne Senior/Getty Images

Mid-term budget: Godongwana maintains line on austerity

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has doubled down on the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts by reducing spending from 28.6% of GDP in the 2023-24 financial year to 27.6%…

Eric van Rooy has lived in Wupperthal most of his life. (All photos by Ashraf Hendricks)

The Western Cape’s Wupperthal is so safe that you can sleep on your stoep

But jobs are scarce in this small Cederberg mission town

Kosta and Sharyn Kassimatis said they used to visit family at Paradise Park from 1987, until they bought a home there six years ago. “We can’t expect anyone from the camp to help us move because they’re in the same predicament,” said Kassimatis. Photo: Marecia Damons

Last 100 Paradise Park residents in Hermanus evicted

A decade-long battle to stave off eviction has come to an end

Katse Dam

Vote 2024 | If you thought load-shedding sucked…

As South Africa approaches the 29 May national and provincial elections, the narrative has shifted from load-shedding to a crisis that hits even closer to home: water. Plus,…