The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group has urged government to increase the child support grant, warning that low-income households are increasingly unable to afford a basic nutritional diet amid rising living costs.
The call follows the latest data from Statistics South Africa showing that consumer price inflation rose to 4% in April, up from 3.1% in March.
The advocacy group said the increase in inflation is likely to place further strain on households as prices of essential goods and services continue to climb.
Programme Coordinator Mervyn Abrahams said the current child support grant remains well below the national food poverty line, arguing that it should be adjusted to reflect basic nutritional needs.
“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 South Africa 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 said.
He added that the current grant of R560 is approximately 35% below the food poverty threshold, leaving many families unable to meet basic dietary requirements.
Abrahams said increasing the grant would not only help reduce child poverty but could also provide broader economic benefits by boosting household spending.
The organisation maintains that strengthening social assistance is essential to helping vulnerable communities cope with rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.