Tebogo Msimanga |
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it welcomes the decision by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, to consider its proposal to increase the Child Support Grant (CSG) to the lower-bound poverty line.
As part of DA’s proposal to President Cyril Ramaphosa to fight the cost of the food crisis and assist starving South Africans, the opposition party called for the increase of the Child Support Grant to ensure households, especially children, have access to nutritious food.
DA Shadow Minister of Social Development Bridget Masango said earlier this year, the Minister revealed in answer to a parliamentary question from the DA that more than 1 000 children under the age of five have died from moderate and severe acute malnutrition in 2021/22”.
“It is, therefore, disconcerting that SASSA underspent its budget on child support grants to assist children below the age of two – the first 1000 days – at a time when food costs and unemployment are at an all-time high”.
The DA calls on Minister Zulu to engage with President Ramaphosa regarding the DA’s other proposals to fight the poverty and hunger crisis. “Cut fuel taxes and levies to lower the cost of transport. Re-allocate the R50 million food aid for Cuba to feed hungry people at home. Review the list of zero-rated food items”.
Masango said the DA will continue to call for economic and social reforms that open the economy for jobs and growth.
