After the third wave of Covid -19 and the riots last month, the country has introduced a monthly support of 350 rand – or about twenty euros – for the most disadvantaged. Although the usual social assistance paid to 18 million South Africans is not enough to cover all needs, the government is now increasingly considering making this emergency aid sustainable, in the form of a basic income – a kind of living income. project in Africa.
as reported from Johannesburg, Claire Bargelès
The Ministry of Social Development has just published a document examining various planned reforms.The creation of such an income is one of the options on the table.
The idea is far from new because it has been more than twenty years as members of South African civil society campaign to create a basic income. But now they have the full attention of Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu: “I think the support from Rand 350 can really be a springboard for the idea of a basic income. This idea must see the light of day now. If we do not do that, we will end up in a very difficult situation. ”
Taxation of the richest, traces mentioned Isobel Frye, head of the Institute for the Study of Poverty and Inequality (SPII), welcomes these announcements, while unemployment affects 32% of the population and that South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world: ” It should be a universal income. And that the chosen sum is enough to really make a difference. The amount should be large enough to stimulate the economy of townships and the rural economy. ”
The taxation of the richest is a way that is mentioned as a possible source of funding for such an income. An idea that does not satisfy the economist Isaah Mhlanga: “Taxing the richest people can encourage their emigration. In addition, these funds would be mainly devoted to consumption. However, most of our goods are imported. So it would not create many local jobs. ”
It also remains to convince the new finance minister, currently opposed to such spending.
