Ahead of the National Dialogue, we asked over 300,000 people, primarily black women from low-income backgrounds, what should be prioritised at the National Dialogue. The following are the top three issues they are worried about.
1. Unpaid and inadequate social grants
Social grants continue to be a lifeline for millions. Our members, who 84% are grant beneficiaries, continue to emphasise that the current grant amounts are not enough to sustain a livelihood, let alone afford the monthly basic needs. Despite a High Court ruling, the National Treasury and the Department of Social Development (DSD) continue to unfairly exclude millions of people who are eligible for social grants.
In our survey, when asked what their message is for the leaders at the National Dialogue, Mxolisi Hlophe from Mpumalanga simply said: “They must stop undermining unemployed people. They introduced the SRD grant, so they must make sure it covers all our needs.
Another member, Erasmus from KwaZulu-Natal, said: “Government must listen to the plight of the poor and not only listen to markets and big, greedy business people. Introduce a Basic Income Grant.”
It is also very worrying that influential people in positions of power are actively driving narratives against social grants, which risk the lives of the marginalised majority who rely on these grants to survive. All social grants must be urgently increased, and the R370 SRD grant must be turned into a Basic Income Grant.
2. Unemployment
Many communities have said public employment programs like the EPWP, teacher assistant jobs, and other public employment programs can help create jobs at the needed scale. Many communities have also pointed out that once you turn 35, it is almost impossible to get a job because of age restrictions.
“To the leaders of the National Dialogue, I urge you to prioritise youth unemployment. I’ve experienced firsthand the frustration and disillusionment that comes with searching for work without success. I expect the National Dialogue to yield concrete solutions and policies that support job creation, skills development, and economic growth.” – Kholofelo Rasesepa.
3. Food prices and the cost of living
Social grants and the minimum wage have failed to keep up with the rising cost of living. Many municipalities’ failure to provide poor households with free basic services such as electricity and water means that people must choose between food and electricity. The Competition Commission has also raised the alarm for years on the issues of unjustified food price increases.
“Tell them that they must reduce the price of food. It is too expensive.” – Sipho Hlezi from KwaZulu-Natal.
These are just a handful of messages. We have hundreds more to share. Amandla.mobi is an independent, non-partisan community organisation with nearly one million members across South Africa that works to amplify the voices of the marginalised majority.
For more information and interviews with members, send an email to [email protected]