A basic income grant as the solution to South Africa’s social security crisis

South Africa’s social security system is designed to assist those “impeded from entering the labour market”. Despite the Constitution’s stipulation of everyone ‘having the right to access social security’, a large portion of the population are not eligible for any social assistance at all. Considering South Africa’s history and its alarmingly high levels of unemployment, it is unsurprising that critics of the system have argued that changes need to be made. The current social security net is too ‘loosely woven’ and too many people who are in need of social assistance end up falling through the gaps. A possible solution? A Basic Income Grant for all citizens!