Future of SASSA grant for pregnant women hangs in the balance

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Did you know that a SASSA grant for pregnant women has been on the table for some time now? First tabled in 2012, it’s known as the Maternal Support Grant (MSG), and it’s a shame it has been in limbo for more than a decade.

At its heart, a SASSA grant for pregnant women hopes to address the fact that nearly one-third of children born in South Africa are stunted. This is due to poor nourishment of the mother. In fact, 2.5 million people live in nutritionally insecure households, according to the South African Medical Research Council.

SASSA GRANT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Even though it will cost billions annually, the savings a maternity grant will bring are said to be ten-fold. Image: File

As such, mothers who are malnourished during pregnancy have much higher odds of poor birth outcomes. This includes low birthweight, poor neurodevelopment, and increased risk of chronic disease later in life. This is why the proposed SASSA grant for pregnant women came about. And many in civil society say the South African Social Security Agency should combine it as an extension of the existing R570 Child Support Grant.

However, despite the draft policy being 13-years old, the Department of Social Development (DSD) says it still hasn’t reached Cabinet. Last year, in November 2024, the policy was submitted to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development (SPCHD) Cabinet Committee. But it was sent back for ‘further work,’ saying poverty, unemployment and inequality need to be addressed jointly.

EXTENSION OF CHILD SUPPORT

Some worry a SASSA grant for pregnant women would ‘incentivise child birth and create a dependency syndrome.’ However, civil society says it has been more than a decade since the DSD commissioned research on the benefits of a SASSA grant for pregnant women. And in that time the body of evidence in its favour has only grown stronger.

Therefore, the absence of income support for pregnant women is a big gap in the country’s social security framework. According to advocacy groups, a SASSA grant for pregnant women would require in the region of R1.9 billion to R3.2 billion annually. However, the potential saving to public health would exceed R13 billion. It is therefore a critical investment into the future of the nation. But what do you think …?