• Latest
  • Trending
Ramaphosa has encouraged social distancing to curb the coronavirus, but what is it?

Government to increase welfare provision amid coronavirus lockdown, says Ramaphosa

April 20, 2020
President John Magufuli died from coronavirus, says Tanzania opposition leader

President John Magufuli died from coronavirus, says Tanzania opposition leader

March 18, 2021
Four dead, 16 injured in Eastern Cape crash

Police officers arrested for the killing of Mthokozisi Ntumba to appear in court

March 17, 2021
Armed men attack passenger convoy and village in Niger, killing 58

Armed men attack passenger convoy and village in Niger, killing 58

March 17, 2021
Ramaphosa vist EFF’s Seshego stronghold, says corrupt people will be jailed

CR17 bank statements never entered into court records: Lawyer

March 17, 2021
City of CT ‘managing’ load shedding as power cuts hit SA again

Eskom says possible heavy load shedding this winter if capacity is not met

March 16, 2021
EFF Student Command at UP calls for postponement of 2021 academic year

EFF Student Command at UP calls for postponement of 2021 academic year

March 16, 2021
Pick n Pay agrees to cap ginger and garlic pricing

Pick n Pay agrees to cap ginger and garlic pricing

March 15, 2021
TUT students won’t be joining nationwide fees protest, for now

TUT students won’t be joining nationwide fees protest, for now

March 15, 2021
Survivors of Equatorial Guinea blasts recall trauma

Survivors of Equatorial Guinea blasts recall trauma

March 15, 2021
Hundreds of drunk drivers arrested in Gauteng

JMPD deploys officers in Joburg CBD ahead of student protests

March 15, 2021
Students can apply for payment plans to cover registration fee: UWC

Nationwide university shutdown

March 15, 2021
ANCWL in the North West backs embattled Mahumapelo

Mahumapelo calls for removal of Dodovu

March 15, 2021
  • Latest
    • Community
    • Africa
    • International
  • Sport
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Motoring
  • People
    • Opinions
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Media
    • Entertaiment
    • Social Media
    • Media
  • Public Statement
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
  • Login
TP
  • Latest
    • Community
    • Africa
    • International
  • Sport
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Motoring
  • People
    • Opinions
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Media
    • Entertaiment
    • Social Media
    • Media
  • Public Statement
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Community
    • Africa
    • International
  • Sport
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Motoring
  • People
    • Opinions
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Media
    • Entertaiment
    • Social Media
    • Media
  • Public Statement
No Result
View All Result
TownPress
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Government to increase welfare provision amid coronavirus lockdown, says Ramaphosa

April 20, 2020
in Politics
0
Ramaphosa has encouraged social distancing to curb the coronavirus, but what is it?
161
SHARES
798
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

South Africa will increase welfare provision to help poor households suffering because of a nationwide lockdown aimed at containing the country’s coronavirus outbreak, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday.

In a weekly newsletter to the nation, Ramaphosa said that the lockdown had revealed “a very sad fault line in our society that reveals how grinding poverty, inequality and unemployment is tearing the fabric of our communities apart”.

He cited images of desperate people clamouring for food parcels at distribution centres as the lockdown leaves millions of people who are unemployed, working in the informal sector or in low-paid jobs struggling to support themselves.

“As government we will this week be providing information on the direct interventions we are taking to shield our most vulnerable citizens from the grim prospect of starvation.

“Among the many difficulties our people face at this time, wondering where their next meal will come from should not be one of them,” he said.

Ramaphosa did not specify how the government would lift welfare provision, but some economists and labour unions have called for social grant payments to be topped up.

South Africa has the most confirmed coronavirus cases in sub-Saharan Africa, at 3,158, with 54 deaths. Ramaphosa said the government was preparing for a probable surge in infections in the coming weeks and months.

Ramaphosa’s Cabinet is due to meet on Monday to discuss new measures to cushion the economic and social impact of Covid-19, among them whether to close down ailing South African Airways, a major drain on state resources in recent years.

“Even when the nationwide lockdown is lifted, its effects will continue to be felt for some time,” Ramaphosa said.

“Food support is a short-term emergency measure. It will need to be matched by sustainable solutions that help our most vulnerable citizens weather the difficult times that are still to come.”

READ THE PRESIDENT’S FULL NEWSLETTER BELOW:

Dear Fellow South African,

Many countries around the world have imposed coronavirus lockdowns with a view to saving the lives of their citizens. We have done the same in our country, but our lockdown has revealed a very sad fault line in our society that reveals how grinding poverty, inequality and unemployment is tearing the fabric of our communities apart.

There can be no greater anguish than that of a parent whose children cry out to them for food, but they have none to give.

There can be no greater injustice than a society where some live in comfort and plenty, while others struggle at the margins to survive with little or nothing at all.

Yes, these are the residual effects of a fractured and unequal past. But they are also a symptom of a fundamental failing in our post-apartheid society. The nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus has gravely exacerbated a long-standing problem.

Over the past three weeks, we have been confronted with distressing images of desperate people clamouring for food parcels at distribution centres and of community protests against food shortages.

We have also had to contend with allegations both disturbing and disgusting. A number of provinces have received reports that callous individuals, some of them allegedly government officials, are hoarding or selling food parcels earmarked for the needy and destitute, or diverting them to their friends and families.

If there is found to be substance to these allegations we will deal with the individuals concerned harshly.

With the declaration of a national state of disaster and the imposition of a nation-wide lockdown we entered uncharted waters. South Africa has never had to deal with a public health emergency of this magnitude.

We had to act quickly to save lives. And we must acknowledge that in the days and weeks that have followed, the provision of support to our country’s most vulnerable citizens has been slower than required, and that lapses have occurred.

However, the payment of social grants has proceeded relatively smoothly, and after a number of technical challenges, the food distribution system is being streamlined.

Imposing a nationwide lockdown at very short notice presented several challenges. We have had to weigh up the proportionality of the national response and the extent of restrictions we would need to impose.

We ultimately chose to err on the side of caution. And as the presentation by the Ministry of Health last week indicated, enforcing a lockdown at the time we did has slowed down the rate of infection and, more importantly, bought us time to prepare for a probable surge in infections in the coming weeks and months.

We had to consider the impact on an already floundering economy in both the long and short term, and the impact of this substantial disruption on the livelihoods of millions of people.

We had to consider what weeks of confinement to the home would mean for the employed not paid regular salaries, for the unemployed and those seeking work, for those in casual or seasonal employment, for those in the informal sector, for the indigent and for the vulnerable.

Cabinet will finalise a set of measures to respond to the impact of the lockdown on the livelihoods of our people. This has been preceded by a range of engagements with a number of stakeholders including business, labour, religious organisations, civil society and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

The social partners have put forward a number of proposals on interventions that could address the immediate vulnerability of the poorest of the poor, most of whom rely on social assistance to survive.

We will scale up welfare provision during this period to help households living below the poverty line.

Even when the nationwide lockdown is lifted, its effects will continue to be felt for some time to come.

Those fortunate to have a steady income will be able to return to their jobs; but for millions of others this will be a lost month where they would otherwise have found temporary work, done business in the informal sector or saved money earned to meet their family responsibilities.

Food support is a short-term emergency measure. It will need to be matched by sustainable solutions that help our most vulnerable citizens weather the difficult times that are still to come.

I wish to thank the many NGOs, religious groups and ordinary citizens who are donating money and volunteering to help feed the hungry and destitute.

Alleviating hunger is not an act of charity. It is imperative for any society that is founded on respect for human rights.

We are at a point in our battle with the pandemic where complacency could prove disastrous. I call on each and everyone to remain vigilant, to continue to abide by the regulations, and to keep safe and keep others safe.

As government we will this week be providing information on the direct interventions we are taking to shield our most vulnerable citizens from the grim prospect of starvation.

Among the many difficulties our people face at this time, wondering where their next meal will come from should not be one of them.

Comments

Share65Tweet40Share11Share16Send
Previous Post

Mentally challenged patient allegedly hijacks paramedics transporting him and speeds off

Next Post

DA wants to know why government is banning sale of cooked food

Next Post
Patel, auto industry talk job creation

DA wants to know why government is banning sale of cooked food

Please login to join discussion
No Result
View All Result
Currently Playing

SAElections2019 Indelible Ink & Election Fraud

SAElections2019 Indelible Ink & Election Fraud

00:01:40

Why would Mampintsha assault Babes Wodumo?

00:00:40

Alph Lukau “raising the dead” is a fraud

00:01:36

Moozlie Mabena involved in a live video crash

00:00:58

Welkom Hijack Man shot in parking lot

00:01:04

Female theft suspects tries to evade guards at Clear Water Mall

00:01:48

Franchise Driver on duty with sex worker

00:00:47

Courageous female driver attack hjackers on driveway

00:01:33

University of Zululand Student stabbed to death by roommate

00:00:41

Vehicle High Jacking on Cedar road, Midrand

00:01:57

Watch thief steal a Hilux in Bloemfontein

00:01:05

Watch Mosque Shoe snatchers in action

00:00:43

Watch these Unbelievable Shoplifters Caught with the Loot

00:03:13

Journalist attacked by EFF Floyd Shivambu and security details

00:00:43

Attempted cash in transit heist by DSTV office in Randburg

00:00:48

KFM Presenters and the Three Rs Blunder

00:00:59

SAPS Higspeed chase

00:01:08

Ruthless home invaders in westrand

00:01:30

Dj Khomza bashes girlfriend with a spanner

00:01:56

Daybreak Robbery in Auckland Park

00:01:15

Fake Police arrested in Johannesburg

00:01:00

#MduduziManana assault video at Cubana

00:00:29

Racial assault of couple at KFC montana

00:01:22

Smart Porsche driver escapes hijackers in Johannesburg

00:00:49

VW Polo Hijack at Kempton Park filling station

00:02:13

Women caught husband cheating and jumps on Carhood

00:02:02

Carlton Centre, Joburg Heist

00:01:06

Did Malema call Mandela a Sellout ?

00:02:01

Petrol Attendant beat up a man

00:01:01

Car Hijack gone wrong

00:02:15

Armed robbery in Alberton

00:00:52

Mother and son in Polokwane attacked by panga wielding robbers

00:02:04

Hyundai i10 Hijacking in Chatsworth

00:00:59

Check more Videos on Youtube

Connect

Connect
TownPress

Copyright © 2021 Townpress.

Navigate Site

  • Terms and conditions
  • About Us
  • Subscription
  • Contact
  • Account

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Community
    • Africa
    • International
  • Sport
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Motoring
  • People
    • Opinions
    • Health
  • Politics
  • Media
    • Entertaiment
    • Social Media
    • Media
  • Public Statement

Copyright © 2021 Townpress.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Go to mobile version
This site uses cookies to improve user experience: Find out more.