A close-up view of a scattered pile of South African Rand banknotes Copyright : Allan Swart (Follow)

By Naadiya Adams

Times are set to get harder for millions of South Africans, as the special R350 Covid-19 grant comes to an end. The Black Sash and #PayTheGrants held a media conference on Thursday on the impending termination of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant.

Social grant payment dates have been released for the month of May by SASSA, and the much-loved R350 covid-19 grant that emerged to help those in need will definitely be falling away.

The expiry has been long overdue, two extensions having already been implemented, 30 April has been dubbed as the official date of expiry – with no further extensions.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Black Sash National Advocacy Manager, Hoodah Abrahams-Fayker says the fund was implemented to create a buffer against hunger and poverty for the country’s poorest communities who, even a year later are still very dependent on that grant.

“the beneficiaries of the grant have really depended on the grant as a life line… we heard how important it is for them to receive this grant in order to survive,” said Abrahams-Fayker.

Since the grant came into effect last year, there have been many complaints around inefficient administration with some not receiving their monthly stipend. According to Abrahams-Fayker, these matters can still be appealed well after April 30.

Social grants payment dates for May 2021 @The_DSD @nda_rsa @PostofficeSa @GovernmentZA @GCISMedia #SASSACARES pic.twitter.com/76I8amSoao

— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) April 26, 2021

Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu opened up about plans to introduce a basic income grant once Covid-19 support measures halt at the end of April and again this week called on government to extend the grant beyond April.

According to Zulu, who was speaking at a mini-plenary debate in March at the national assembly, the country’s financial issues must be put aside, as some form of universal income is long overdue.

“This is not the time for us to play politics around this issue, because this is an issue that should enable us to respond to the needs of the people of South Africa,” she said.

“This is the time for me, my department and my entities to get the necessary support from the wider government, and appreciate this opportune moment to move beyond discussion and policy proposals,” added Zulu.

Abrahams-Fayker says government does have the money for a fund like this, they just need to commit to it. She says is not a matter of whether or not they can afford it but rather whether they can afford not to.

“Its important for Government to make this investment from a human rights perspective, because there is money its just for government to have the political will and looking at the funds that it does have and prioritizing,” says Abrahams-Fayker.

A petition in partnership with Amandla.Mobi will be handed over with over 40 000 signatures at the office of The Presidency on Friday to illustrate the dire need for the fund extension

While plans are underway for the BIG, in the interim, those dependant on the R350 grant could very well have to find a way to survive the next few months.

Claimants can also claim their final April payment even after 30 April, so there is no need to rush to collect your grant before then, it may be collected with ease but any new payments after 30 April will not be made.

If your COVID-19 SRD grant is not collected before 30 April 2021, it will still be available for collection #SASSACARES @The_DSD @PostofficeSa @nda_rsa @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/gyvOtuk0Az

— SASSA (@OfficialSASSA) April 26, 2021