By Ragheema Mclean
Renewed calls are mounting for South Africa’s Old Age Grant to be increased from R2,400 to R5,000 a month, as civil society organisations warn that the current grant is no longer enough to meet the basic needs of millions of elderly South Africans.
The issue has gained renewed attention following protest action in Mitchells Plain earlier this week, where pensioners and community members called on the government to increase the grant to R5,000 to help offset the rising costs of food, electricity, transport and healthcare.
Speaking to VOC News, Black Sash Western Cape Regional Manager Thandi Henkeman said many older persons are being forced to make impossible choices just to survive.
“At Black Sash, we engage with older persons across communities through our community-based monitoring work, and one message comes through consistently: the Older Person’s Grant is a vital lifeline, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to meet their basic needs,” Henkeman said.
“Older persons are telling us they are often forced to choose between buying food, paying for transport to collect medication, or covering electricity costs. These stories are not isolated; they reflect the daily reality for many older South Africans.”
Henkeman said the renewed calls are being driven by the widening gap between the cost of living and the value of the grant.
“Any increase is welcomed, but many older persons tell us it simply hasn’t kept pace with the rising costs of food, electricity, transport and healthcare. Through our monitoring work, we also know that many pensioners are not only supporting themselves but also unemployed adult children, grandchildren and, in some cases, entire households. The grant has become the primary source of income. This isn’t simply about wanting more money; it’s about being able to live with dignity and meet their basic needs,” she said.
Meanwhile, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Western Cape said it recognises the financial pressures facing grant beneficiaries but emphasised that it does not determine the value of social grants.
“We recognise that many beneficiaries continue to face significant economic challenges as the costs of essential goods and services, including food, transport, electricity and healthcare, continue to rise,” the agency said.
SASSA added that while it is responsible for administering and paying social grants, decisions on grant values and annual increases are made by the government.
Photo: VOCfm (Stock)
VOC
