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File image: SASSA banner.
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group has called on the government to increase the child support grant as low-income households continue to struggle to afford a basic nutritional diet.
The appeal follows the release of new data by Statistics South Africa showing that consumer price inflation rose to 4 percent in April from 3.1 percent in March.
The group says the increase in inflation is expected to place additional financial pressure on households as the prices of basic goods and services continue to rise.
Programme Coordinator Mervyn Abrahams says the current child support grant remains below the national food poverty line.
WATCH | As South Africans face higher food prices driven by rising fuel costs, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group’s Mervyn Abrahams says the cost of the food basket has risen to just over R5,452, up 2.3% from March. pic.twitter.com/GcCswZRtaG
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 4, 2026
“We have been saying that at least the child support grant should be pegged at the level of the food poverty line. Now the food poverty line in SA is standing at R855 per month. So, at the very minimum the child support grant should provide for sufficient food which according to Stats SA is R855.”
Abrahams says the current child support grant of R560 is about 35 percent below the food poverty threshold.
“So, an increase in that area, we believe, would be a massive increase – not only to eradicate child poverty, supporting households but it will be a massive boost to the economy,” Abrahams says.
The organisation says increasing social grants would help vulnerable households cope with rising living costs while supporting local economic activity.
