The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, revealed in the Budget Speech 2025 on 12 March, government’s plans for the SRD grant going forward.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had previously communicated in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) the plans for the grant. He said it will be used as “a basis for the introduction of a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people.” Here’s what else is planned for the SRD grant.
BUDGET SPEECH 2025 REVEALS WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE SRD GRANT
Godongwana said in the Budget Speech 2025 that the SRD grant will be extended for another year. This means the grant will end in March 2026. The finance minister also stated how much has been allocated for it.
“The COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, in its current form, will be extended by a year to end in March 2026. R35.2 billion is allocated for this purpose,” said Godongwana.
Despite it being extended, the grant did not see any increase as announced for other grants. Therefore, if you are a beneficiary, you will continue to receive R370 like the previous financial year.
REACTIONS TO THE BUDGET SPEECH 2025 ON SRD GRANTS
South Africans have reacted to the planned changes to the SRD grant following the Budget Speech 2025. Most beneficiaries revealed that they would rather have employment than continue to receive the R370. Find some of their comments below from the SASSA Facebook page.
“It should be cancelled, no one can depend on that money… We need jobs! The government is capable of making job opportunities but it chooses not to.”
“Government must do a program for the unemployed citizens. They can help clean in the government buildings or in the community. If corruption can stop government can be able to pay them at least R1200 instead of giving R350 they must do something.”
“Create jobs this thing you’ll [are] doing for years shows we have incompetent leaders true with no proper plan for the future.”
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE PLANS FOR THE SRD GRANT?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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