The ANC first spoke about a Universal Basic Income Support Grant (BIG) in January.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, will be converted into a basic income grant.
Mbalula made the remarks during a visit to Freedom Park in Soweto on Sunday.
The ANC first spoke about a Universal Basic Income Support Grant (BIG) during its annual National Executive Council lekgotla at the end of January, outlining the party’s priorities for the year ahead and the five-year term of the administration.
Basic income grant
Mbalula said the grant should benefit people.
“We, as the Parliament, are fighting VAT. We have agreed as the ANC to retract the increase. Where we stand is that we want the money to continue to benefit people, this is what we call social spending. We want teachers, nurses and police to be hired.
“Furthermore, the SRD grant that Ramaphosa gives to you, the R350 will be maintained but we are going to change it, so we can establish the basic income grant. This will help you till you find a job, then move so it can help others as well,” Mbalula said.
Currently, South Africa’s most likely path to a permanent basic income grant appears to be through the existing SRD grant, which was increased to R370 per month earlier this year.
WATCH Fikile Mbalula speaking about the SRD grant
[WATCH] The SASSA SRD grant will be converted into a basic income grant so that young people can have assistance for their basic needs. #ThePeoplesMovement pic.twitter.com/TNTXnEdsD3
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) May 4, 2025
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SRD grant
In his budget speech in March, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that Treasury allocated R35.2 billion to extend the SRD grant until 31 March 2026.
The much-contested grant has served as a lifeline to about eight million South Africans, refugees and asylum seekers since May 2020.
SRD grant payments are made during the final week of the month after Sassa completes various verification checks.
Approximately 13 million people receive this grant, making it a potential foundation for a broader income support system.
Delays
Meanwhile, Sassa announced there may be slight delay in the May payment schedule for certain beneficiaries, due to the verification campaign aimed at tightening the integrity of the country’s social grant system.
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