Basic Income Grant Party launches manifesto in Soweto

JOHANNESBURG - Newly-formed political party, Basic Income Grant said that it would cost government R1.25 trillion a year to implement its universal basic income.

The party launched its election manifesto on Saturday at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto.

Across the world, there have been many political parties wanting to introduce a universal basic income, with the big question always being how is government going to fund it.

Although only contesting elections in Gauteng, Basic Income Grant is advocating for people aged between 18 and 25 to receive R1,500 a month while those 26 and older to get R3,500.

Party president, Hendrick Kekana, said that the plan would be funded through an additional sales tax.

"We're proposing if you buy an item, goods, services in South Africa, we add a certain percentage. As an example, if you buy a bottle of water at a supermarket we add R1,50 on a R10 and that’s the amount we're going to use for that (UBI). Remember for all governments in the world, there are a few avenues to raise revenue and the biggest avenue is tax."