Cape Town, South Africa, 05 May 2025 – Black Sash notes the recent public statement by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula made during a visit to Freedom Park in Soweto, yesterday, regarding the conversion of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant into a Basic Income Grant (BIG). We welcome the reaffirmation of the GNU’s commitment to ensuring long-term income support for those living in poverty and unemployed.

Black Sash seeks to commission an independent external evaluation of its Strategic Plan (2021–2024) and programme implementation to assess achievements, challenges, and lessons learned over the past four years. This evaluation will provide a critical review of the organisation’s impact, effectiveness, and efficiency and recommendations to inform the next strategic planning cycle.

In response to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2025 Budget Speech, we express concern that despite a second chance at the Budget Speech, the Minister yet again failed to prioritise investment in the majority of those residing in South Africa.

Black Sash, in partnership with the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), is proud to announce an important two-day convening focused on advancing the Social Protection Floor (SPF) in South Africa. The event kicks off today in Boksburg, Gauteng and brings together key stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organizations, trade unionists, academics, and social protection experts, to engage in dialogue and action aimed at strengthening the country’s social protection framework.

Black Sash is deeply appalled by the political wrangling within the Government of National Unity (GNU) that has led to the shocking cancellation of the much-anticipated Budget Speech that was scheduled for today. This display of recklessness threatens the livelihoods of millions of South Africans who depend on social protection to survive.

In anticipation of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2025 Budget Speech this Wednesday 19 February, Black Sash calls for the urgent need for the government to prioritize the welfare of those living in poverty in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) was notably vague when addressing the future of social grants and the implementation of the Basic Income Grant (BIG). While he acknowledged the importance of social support for millions of vulnerable South Africans – his vagueness raises concerns, especially given the rising cost of living and the growing demand for financial relief among unemployed and low-income citizens.