The SASSA Child Support Grant is a vital lifeline for millions of South African children, yet for many families, it remains insufficient to cover even the most basic necessities. Despite its success in reaching disadvantaged communities, over seven million children still live below the food poverty line, highlighting the urgent need for a reassessment of the grant’s adequacy.
The Daily Struggles of Grant Recipients
A sobering reality was recently witnessed in a Cape Town school when a 10-year-old diabetic student fainted in class due to hunger. The child’s family, reliant on the SASSA Child Support Grant, could not afford to send lunch with each child daily, forcing siblings to take turns. This heartbreaking situation is not unique—many schoolchildren across South Africa arrive in classrooms hungry, suffering from malnutrition and stunting, which significantly impacts their ability to learn and develop.
Beryl*, a school administrator in Athlone, confirmed that hunger-related illnesses are a common occurrence. “Children often complain of stomach aches, and when we ask what they ate, it turns out they had nothing the night before or in the morning,” she explained. A large portion of these children are being raised by their grandparents, with parents absent due to drug addiction or financial struggles.
The Rising Cost of Living vs. The Grant Increase
In April 2024, the SASSA Child Support Grant was increased to R530 per month, a modest R20 increase from the previous year. However, this amount still falls far below the food poverty line of R796 per person per month, making it impossible for families to provide adequate nutrition and essential needs for their children.
According to a review conducted in 2023 by the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, the SASSA Child Support Grant has the strongest pro-poor targeting of all social grants but remains too low to prevent child hunger, malnutrition, and stunting. Currently, 37% of South African children live below the poverty line, with 27% suffering from stunting, a condition that can impair cognitive and physical development for life.
Calls for Additional Support: The Maternal Support Grant
Recognizing the financial and nutritional hardships faced by pregnant women, a coalition of NGOs and researchers has called for a Maternal Support Grant (MSG) to provide financial aid during pregnancy. This initiative aims to prevent malnutrition in unborn children and reduce long-term health costs associated with birth complications. It is estimated that implementing the MSG could save the country R13.8 billion per year in healthcare costs, yet the proposal remains under discussion.
Firsthand Accounts: Parents Barely Getting By
For parents like Thandeka*, who already struggle to raise a five-year-old child, the arrival of a newborn is a financial nightmare. Working at a takeaway deli in Roodepoort, she earns a modest salary but faces overwhelming expenses, including R3,000 per month on food, R350 on school transport, and over R600 on baby formula when her second child is born. “The grant is not enough to cover even half of my expenses,” she admitted.
Similarly, Eliza*, an 18-year-old mother from Westbury, relies on the SASSA Child Support Grant but still struggles to afford food and essentials for her two-year-old. She often depends on community outreach programs and hand-me-down clothing to make ends meet.
Even those earning near the CSG eligibility threshold of R5,300 per month, like Zama* from Durban, find the grant inadequate. With a daughter suffering from asthma and no access to free healthcare in her area, she spends R500 per private doctor visit—a significant burden on her finances.
Also Read: Living on Social Grants: The Struggles of Millions Relying on SASSA for Support
The Cost of Raising a Child in South Africa
Raising a child in South Africa far exceeds the amount provided by the SASSA Child Support Grant. Basic necessities such as diapers, baby formula, and medical expenses consume a significant portion of any low-income household’s budget:
- Diapers: Newborns require between 220 to 330 diapers per month, costing around R440 or more at discount retailers.
- Formula: Infants require at least 160ml of formula per kg of body weight daily, with costs quickly adding up, even when purchased on sale.
- Healthcare: While free clinics exist, many parents must turn to private doctors for urgent medical needs, increasing financial strain.
Given these expenses, international organizations like the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child have urged the South African government to increase the SASSA Child Support Grant to align with the rising cost of living and ensure children receive proper nutrition and care.
A Call for Urgent Action
The SASSA Child Support Grant remains a crucial safety net for millions of South African families, but it is clear that R530 per month is simply not enough to combat child poverty. With over 13 million children dependent on the grant, an increase is essential to combat malnutrition, stunting, and the daily hardships faced by caregivers. Additionally, the implementation of a Maternal Support Grant could significantly improve the health of unborn children and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Until meaningful changes are made, families will continue to struggle, and children will bear the brunt of poverty, unable to reach their full potential due to circumstances beyond their control.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
