Statistics South Africa has released the 2026 national poverty lines, with the food poverty line now standing at R868 per person per month. The figures have renewed calls to increase the Social Relief of Distress grant, which currently amounts to just 42.6% of the food poverty line. The Institute for Economic Justice says doubling the SRD grant could help millions of South Africans facing hunger, while providing an economic boost to poor communities.

Guest: Siyanda Baduza, Basic Income Researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice 

Statistics South Africa has released the 2026 national poverty lines, with the food poverty line now standing at R868 per person per month. The figures have renewed calls to increase the Social Relief of Distress grant, which currently amounts to just 42.6% of the food poverty line. The Institute for Economic Justice says doubling the SRD grant could help millions of South Africans facing hunger, while providing an economic boost to poor communities.
Guest: Siyanda Baduza, Basic Income Researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice&nbsp;

The National Briefing

Statistics South Africa has released the 2026 national poverty lines, with the food poverty line now standing at R868 per person per month. The figures have renewed calls to increase the Social Relief of Distress grant, which currently amounts to just 42.6% of the food poverty line.