Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has pledged to raise South Africa’s SASSA old-age grant to R4,500 monthly if his party comes to power. The announcement was made during the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch in North West, where Malema emphasized that an EFF-led administration would prioritize the protection of social grants and enhance financial support for pensioners.
Malema was critical of the current administration under the African National Congress (ANC), accusing it of failing to provide adequate support for the elderly. He argued that pensioners who have paid taxes throughout their working lives deserve better financial assistance. Currently, the old-age grant is set at R2,400 per month, with a slightly higher amount of R2,420 allocated to beneficiaries over the age of 75.
In addition to his critique of the existing pension scheme, Malema also condemned the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, labeling it insufficient. He called for the establishment of a new grant specifically aimed at supporting unemployed graduates, reflecting his broader vision for social welfare reform.
Malema reiterated his proposal for the R4,500 pension during a speech in Mpumalanga, highlighting the financial burden often shouldered by pensioners who support not just themselves but their children and grandchildren. He argued that the government could manage this increase by optimizing the use of public funds.
As political parties gear up for the local government elections scheduled for November 4, issues such as social grants, unemployment, and the rising cost of living are expected to be at the forefront of campaign agendas. Malema’s propositions underscore the EFF’s focus on addressing these critical socio-economic challenges.