Half A Loaf is Better Than None: Social Relief Distress Grant Challenges and Benefits to Enhance Food Security

Abstract

Background: COVID-19-related food supply disruptions exemplified the primary threats to food security. South African government has established a social relief distress (SRD) grant as a temporary social security measure to address food and water insecurity. Theoretical framework: A hierarchical structure of the sustainable livelihood ladder was used to represent distinct tiers of livelihood advancement, defining the progression from lower levels of vulnerability to higher standards of sustainable and resilient livelihoods. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research approach to evaluate the significance of the SRD grant. The researchers investigated the perspectives and experiences of the general public by retrieving and purposefully selecting Twitter and Facebook comments and responses to a query titled “Does the R350 SRD grant contribute to food security, what is your take?". Results: Findings indicate that the R350 grant was a beacon of hope for others, particularly those without the means to ensure food security. However, there is no evidence of how the government prioritized the most vulnerable when distributing the R350 grant. Conclusion: The paper concluded that additional government support and the permanent establishment of the SRD grant are necessary and contribute positively to improving citizens’ lives. Although the smaller grants, even with top-ups, are insufficient to keep households out of food poverty, they do make a difference.