Sassa Applauds Recipients For Using R350 Grant To Start Businesses

It is estimated that around seven million people in South Africa receive the R350 SRD grant each month. Grant recipients use the money to support their families and to provide them with the necessities of life.

Sassa Applauds Recipients For Using R350 Grant To Start Businesses

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Social Development implemented the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to provide relief to families affected.Additionally, the department has encouraged grant recipients not to be discouraged from seeking further employment opportunities because doing so will only benefit them.

Cyril Ramaphosa shared how two young unemployed South Africans started small businesses using their R350 SRD grant during his 2022 State of the Nation Address.People have shared their stories about how they have used the grant to make a means and earn an income following the president’s tributes.

Having saved money from the R350 grant, Jabulile, a self-taught nail tech from Randfontein, started her business in 2020.

I took the R350, and I saved it for like three or four months and that’s when I started to buy my first kits. 

Currently, she owns and operates a successful nail studio in the backyard of her parents.By watching videos on social media, such as YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok, Jabulile says she gained various skills.“On a good day, I can make a point something [more than R1000] and on a normal day, I make R500.” 

Grant recipients have said the grant has helped them make more money than they expected and has inspired them to follow their passions.

I would say, find something that you like because that is something that’s gonna drive you… and then find something that people are not used too.. an idea that will benefit you for the long term.   

Earlier this year, it was revealed that 60% of the country’s budget goes toward social wages, which include free services to indigent households and social grants to assist millions.

Work is currently underway in South Africa to develop ‘targeted basic income support’ that will be permanently implemented to support jobless people in need after the SRD grant finishes in March 2024.