GAVIN KEETON: Four million poor youth could benefit from grant
THERE are many reasons inequality and poverty are exceptionally high in SA. One reason is our astonishingly high unemployment. According to official statistics more than 8-million South Africans are jobless.Unemployment is especially high for those younger than 35. Many of the unemployed have never had a job. Long-term unemployment means extreme poverty and misery for millions.In the Eastern Cape, for example, more than 1-million young people live in households in which nobody has ever worked. The likelihood that they will be able to get a job is low indeed.For the poor, modest relief is available to the young, the old and those with disabilities. There are 12.3-million poor children currently receiving grants from the state of R350 per month.A further 5-million people receive old age pensions, disability or foster care grants. Yet, for the unemployed aged 19-60, the only state support is occasional short-term employment in public works schemes.In 2002 the Taylor Committee, which wa...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.