Nkosinathi Nxumalo, a man from KwaZulu-Natal, believes SASSA could do more than just pay out grants. He wants the agency to help recipients build skills that could lift them out of poverty.
Nxumalo holds a matric certificate and has received the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for more than five years. He shared his story through The South African’s SASSA grant survey.
SRD grant stretched across a large household
Nxumalo uses his grant for a mix of needs. He said it helps, but it is not enough, and he runs out before the month ends. Even so, he confirmed that no one in his household went without food in the past month.
His biggest financial concern is the cost of living and rising food prices.
Grant recipient faces a string of SASSA problems
Nxumalo has faced several challenges with his grant. He listed payment delays, knowing when to renew or reapply, and understanding why his application was rejected. He has also had a declined or lapsed application.
Despite this, he rated SASSA’s communication with recipients as very good. When asked what one thing he would change, he chose an increase in the grant amount.
He has never applied for additional government support because he did not know what else was available.
SRD recipient calls on SASSA to invest in skills
His message to SASSA centres on giving recipients the tools to support themselves.
“I would really like SASSA to help people like us, people who have knowledge,” Nxumalo said.
“You know guys how hard it is when you don’t know where to start, where to go,” he added.
He called on the government to invest in people like him with skills, saying “South Africa would gain something”.
“Please SASSA help,” he said. “You know the say about giving a man a fish instead of teaching him to fish.”
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