Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has pledged to raise South Africa’s SASSA old-age grant to R4,500 per month if his party assumes power. Malema made this promise during the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch in North West, asserting that an EFF-led government would prioritize protecting social grants and enhancing financial support for the elderly. He criticized the African National Congress (ANC) for providing what he sees as insufficient support to senior citizens, highlighting that pensioners have spent years contributing to the nation through taxes.
Currently, the old-age grant is set at R2,400 monthly, with those over the age of 75 receiving R2,420. Malema also took aim at the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, labeling it inadequate, and advocated for the introduction of a new grant specifically for unemployed graduates. His R4,500 proposal was reiterated during a speech in Mpumalanga, where he emphasized that many pensioners continue to financially support their children and grandchildren. Malema believes that the government could afford such an increase if public funds were managed more effectively.
The topics of social grants, unemployment, and the escalating cost of living are expected to remain central themes as political parties gear up for the local government elections slated for November 4. Malema’s proposals come at a time when these issues are increasingly capturing the attention of voters across the country.