JONATHAN COOK: Universal basic income could save the small business sector

The recent violence has prompted government and the ANC to give greater attention to a basic income grant for South Africans (“Ramaphosa says basic income grant will show government cares (https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2021-07-18-ramaphosa-says-basic-income-grant-will-show-government-cares/)”, July 18).

Apart from the obvious moral imperative to treat extreme poverty, a basic income grant would also be just the thing to help devastated small businesses recover from the double whammy of rioting and Covid-19. And what a boost it would provide to SA’s morale! Can you imagine the relief?..