South Africa’s Strained Social Safety Net Under Pressure from Unemployment Crisis

The rising jobless rate in South Africa is putting significant pressure on the country’s social safety net, which is already strained due to the high number of individuals requiring assistance. The ANC, which has been in power for 30 years, has touted the country’s welfare system as a notable achievement during the upcoming elections, but critics argue that it is a sign of failure and is not sustainable. The increasing number of people relying on state aid, combined with a shrinking tax base, is stretching the system beyond its limits. Two major political rivals, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), have different approaches to addressing the issue. While the EFF has called for the doubling of existing social benefits and the establishment of new grants, the DA is prioritizing job creation and relaxing labor laws. Some experts warn that if the current trend continues, the social safety net may become unsustainable, and the only solution will be to provide more social grants, which could lead to unsustainability in the long run. One individual, Dalene Raiters, believes that only employment opportunities can offer a better future for young people, rather than relying solely on state aid. The future of the social safety net may hinge on which party the ANC chooses to form a coalition with after the May 29th polls, as the competition is predicted to result in a non-majority government.