Ke Ka Baka La’ng Afrika Borwa E Hloka Tokelo Ya Letseno La Motheo La Batho Bohle?

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice argues for the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa to combat extreme poverty, hunger, and high unemployment. It positions UBIG as a constitutional right and a tool for economic growth, gender equality, and social cohesion, while acknowledging that it must be part of a broader policy framework including industrial policy and universal public services.

• South Africa faces severe economic inequality and unemployment, with an expanded unemployment rate of 44.1% in the second quarter of 2022.
• Social grants have been effective in fighting extreme poverty; by 2021, approximately 50% of South African households relied on these grants, with 24.4% reporting them as their primary source of income.
• Current social protection systems leave a significant gap for adults aged 18 to 59, as there is no permanent income support for this group despite high unemployment. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is described as a temporary measure with limitations in quality and accessibility.
• The document asserts that a UBIG set at the upper poverty line could eliminate hunger and poverty in South Africa, specifically noting that 18.3 million people currently lack sufficient income for basic food.
• UBIG is presented as a means to stimulate the economy because recipients spend the money in their local communities and it can reduce the stress associated with meeting basic needs, potentially helping people enter the formal labor market or start businesses.
• A universal income guarantee could address gender inequality by providing women—who often perform unpaid care work and face higher poverty risks—with greater autonomy and independence from men.
• The document argues that UBIG is supported by the South African Constitution (Section 27) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), noting that a UN committee recommended the establishment of a basic income grant for South Africa in 2018.

APA

Institute for Economic Justice (2023). Ke Ka Baka La’ng Afrika Borwa E Hloka Tokelo Ya Letseno La Motheo La Batho Bohle? https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEJ-UBIG-1-factsheet-Sepedi.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Economic Justice. Ke Ka Baka La’ng Afrika Borwa E Hloka Tokelo Ya Letseno La Motheo La Batho Bohle? 2023. https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEJ-UBIG-1-factsheet-Sepedi.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Economic Justice |title=Ke Ka Baka La’ng Afrika Borwa E Hloka Tokelo Ya Letseno La Motheo La Batho Bohle? |date=November 2023 |url=https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEJ-UBIG-1-factsheet-Sepedi.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforeconomicjustice2023baka, author = {{Institute for Economic Justice}}, title = {{Ke Ka Baka La’ng Afrika Borwa E Hloka Tokelo Ya Letseno La Motheo La Batho Bohle?}}, institution = {Institute for Economic Justice}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEJ-UBIG-1-factsheet-Sepedi.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }