Social grants have become a major talking point ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections with parties either promising to increase or cut them if elected into power.
For the first time there’s even a party whose identity is built around social grants.
Basic Income Grant South Africa led by businessman Hendrick Kekana is advocating for the introduction of universal basic income grant which it believes is necessary to rescue millions of South Africans living below poverty line.
Kekana said his party is not necessarily socialist in orientation but believes that a free market economy can thrive alongside a strong security net for the less fortunate.
BIG SA launched its manifesto in Orlando, Soweto on Saturday and said it hoped to have an impact in the upcoming poll.
“We want a thriving economy where there’s adequate opportunity for business to succeed but equally we believe there’s an urgent need to feed millions of our people who are living below the breadline and who can rescue them besides the state itself,” said Kekana also adding that his party’s offering will not result in drastic tax hikes.
BIG SA joins a list of leftist organisations such as the ANC, EFF, PAC and Azapo who are calling for more social amenities.
BIG SA is currently only contesting in Gauteng and Kekana attributed the decision to stringent requirements imposed by the IEC on new contestants and a lack of resources. He said gaining representation in the provincial legislature will be good enough for the party founded in 2022.
“We are not delusional about our chances. We know we are a new outfit and are prepared to take some time building and introducing the brand to South Africans. So we will appreciate any amount of votes we get and of course it would be even better if we make it into the legislature,” said Kekana.
The party is also calling for a tougher stance on illegal migration, crime and teenage pregnancy.
“No more hunger, no more unemployment, no more crime, no more illegal immigration,” declared Kekana during the manifesto launch.
Kekana said the grants are the quickest way of closing the inequality gap.
“More and more South Africans find themselves looking for food in the dustbins and we can’t accept that as normal. As unemployment is rising, the affluent must know that the poor will soon be knocking on their doors looking for food, it’s only a matter of time so someone must do something about it,” said Kekana.
“Only meaningful economic participation by the majority will unite this country and that’s why as BIG SA we want to revive the economy,” said Kekana.