Basic income grant to take centre stage at BIG SA manifesto launch
BIG SA’s manifesto includes optimistic plans for all South African citizens - whether employed or unemployed - to get money from government.
Basic Income Grant South Africa (BIG SA) leader Hendrick Peter Kekana at his party's manifesto launch in Soweto on 11 May 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - In Gauteng, new political kid on the block, Basic Income Grant South Africa (BIG SA), said that calls for a basic income grant would take centre stage when the party launches its elections manifesto at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto on Saturday.
BIG SA’s manifesto includes optimistic plans for all South African citizens, whether employed or unemployed, to get money from government.
The party, which is only contesting in Gauteng, launches its manifesto 17 days before what’s expected to be the most gruelling general elections.
In the build-up to elections, social grants have become a ticket for parties in a bid to sway support in their favour.
BIG SA said people aged between 18 and 25 would get R1,500 a month under its government, while those 26 years and older would receive R3,500 a month.
The party said it believed that all South Africans must participate meaningfully in the country’s economy.
It said through guaranteed universal basic income, unemployment, hunger and poverty could be eradicated in the country.
The party’s president, Hendrick Kekana, will deliver address supporters.
[WATCH] Big SA said it would cost government R1,25 trillion a year to implement its universal income basic income.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 11, 2024
(For reference, SA’s GDP for 2023 Q4 was R1,15 trillion)
Hendrick Peter Kekana, BIG SA President, said this would be funded through an additional sales tax. TCG pic.twitter.com/bIca1BIamh