Basic Income Grant (BIG)

Global Basic Income Grant Pilots Since 2000

2021 research report reviewing social transfer programmes within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and global social protection responses to Covid-19.

SPII BIG History and Context

10 million people and 3 million children went hungry during April and May 2021, according to the fifth wave of the National Income Dynamics...

The Efficacy Of Fiscal Policy in South Africa

This paper’s objective is to inform South African debates about the feasibility of introducing a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG)

BIG in SA – the BIG website in SA on 17 November 2021.

The launch of the BIG website South Africa is a country that takes your heart and soul and can be cruel and kind, but...

eNCA: Mid-term budget | Concern over budget cuts (MTBPS)

Dr. Nqobile Zulu, Research Manager at the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute joins eNCA for a discussion on the Mid-term budget cuts (MTBPS)....

A universal basic income grant (UBIG) and why South Africa needs it

Something other than doubts about the workability or fairness of the scheme is at play here, however. The real worry is that a household...

R350 SRD Grant Rapid Assessment: Final Report

Introduction and Background South Africa went into a nation-wide lockdown from 26 March 2020, which was extended through a risk-adjusted approach ranging from Alert...

SPII-FES Basic Income Grant (BIG) Webinar Series (2/3)

South Africa is a country characterised by gross poverty, inequality, and destitution. Unemployment is at an all-time high with a rate of 44.4%. With...

SABC News: Extreme poverty is on the rise

For the first time in two decades, extreme poverty is on the rise. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres made the remarks, marking the...

Global Basic Income Grant (BIG) Pilots Since 2000

This research paper builds on SPII’s 2021 research report reviewing social transfer programmes within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and global social protection...

Press Release: Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute launches critical research on Global universal Basic Income Guarantee Pilots and their lessons for South Africa 20 October 2021.

Press Release For immediate release Tuesday 19 October 2021 Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute launches critical research on Global universal Basic Income Guarantee...

PowerFM: Unpacking the recent acts of lawlessness and instability that have rocked the country

The Social Security Researcher at the Studies in poverty and inequality Institute, Nkululeko Majozi and the Director of Workers World Media Production, Martin Jansen...

SABC News: International day for the poverty eradication

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on the 17th of October annually. In 1987 on that day, over a hundred thousand...

The Star: Universal income policy is vital

Isobel Frye, executive director at the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII), writes on a Universal policy: STORES are stocking their aisles with...

SPII-FES Basic Income Grant (BIG) Webinar Series (1/3)

South Africa is a country characterised by gross poverty, inequality, and destitution. Unemployment is at an all-time high with a rate of 44.4%. With...

Press Release: Critical research on universal Basic Income Grant (BIG)

Press Release For immediate release Tuesday 12 October 2021 Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute launches critical research on universal Basic Income Grant (BIG)...

SPII-FES Basic Income Grant (BIG) Webinar Series 13, 20, 22 October 2021

SPII-FES Basic Income Grant (BIG) Webinar Series 13, 20, 22 October 2021 Supported by Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, Telkom and NEDLAC Community Constituency In 2021,...

The DailyVox: Youth Unemployment in South Africa

We all read the stats – youth unemployment is a ticking bomb- but what are we actually doing to ensure that young SA have the skills,...

ChaiFM: How can we bridge the gap between the poor and wealthy?

Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute’s Director, Isobel Frye, speaks to ChaiFM on the Basic income Grant and the Decent Standard of Living project....

BIG: A dialogue on the Universal Basic Income (UBI/BIG)

The Basic Income Grant (BIG) is not a silver-bullet solution for every problem to every problem in South Africa, but it is a multi-faceted...

The Daily Vox: Is the ‘sad generation’ really the future of South Africa? (Unemployment)

Not so long ago, Statistics South Africa released the latest labour market figures that placed the unemployment rate at an all-time high since the 2008 recession....

Why We Need Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and Why It Needs Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute support all ideas revolving around the Basic income grant/Universal Basic Income (UBI), the following article is an exerpt...

Newzroom Afrika: Nkululeko Majozi joins discussion on the 2021 poverty line update

Studies in poverty and Inequality Institute’s Nkuleleko Majozi speaks to Thami Ngubeni from Newzroom Afrika on the updated national poverty lines for 2021 which...

SAfm: Nkululeko Majozi discusses how we should measure poverty

Most people who care about measuring poverty—policymakers, academics, non-profit organisations, and the like—agree that the way the government currently determines poverty levels and social...

Are we Transforming: A discussion about the current Social Security System in South Africa

Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute’s Mpho Mhlongo joins Are We Transforming to discuss her views on social security issues and how they should...

The Daily Vox: Op-ed by Christina van Straten on poverty

Tatjana Schoenmaker, South Africa’s gold-medal-girl acted as a beacon of hope for the country when she proved to be the best breaststroke swimmer the...

Midday Report: Withdrawal of the Green Paper sparks controversy

The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, withdrew the Green Paper, without a specific reason yesterday. Isobel Frye, director of the Studies in Poverty...

Newzroom Afrika: Social Development backtracks on Green Paper

Following the withdrawal of the Green Paper, the director of the Studies of Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) Isobel Frye, is joined by the...

Op-ed: Christina van Straten: Why the BIG is a solution for Gender-Based Violence

"The fact that dignified people are more productive is at the epicentre of this issue, yet it is tough to be dignified when you...

Op-ed: A basic income grant is urgent if we are to avoid the next social explosion that destroys our common humanity

The following is an Op-ed by Isobel Frye on how a basic income grant will be beneficial to the labour force as well as...

Article: Cosatu welcomes ‘long overdue’ social security fund

The following is an excerpt from The Sowetan: The government’s proposal of a statutory pension and insurance regime funded through mandatory contributions from workers...

South Africa: Basic income supporters put the issue back on the table

Following the third wave of Covid-19 and the riots last month, the country has put in place a monthly aid of 350 rand -...

We must support SA women with a BIG, they uphold the rest of society

Our President strikingly referred to gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa the ‘second pandemic’ affecting our nation alongside the Covid-19 pandemic that disrupted the...

Article: 5 lessons for using universal basic income during a pandemic

5 LESSONS The following is an excerpt from Brookings : Previous experiences with Universal Basic Income and UBI-like interventions provide five lessons. They have...

ANC GP SEMINAR ON BASIC INCOME GRANT (BIG)

ANC GAUTENG SUB-COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION Is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting ANC GP SEMINAR ON BASIC INCOME GRANT (BIG) TIME:...

SAfm: Financially dependent women are at higher risk of Gender-Based Violence

Late night conversations with Patricia Ntuli, Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute’s Tina van Straten spoke about Poverty and the correlation to Gender based...

You and Your SASSA Grant

You and Your Special COVID-19 SRD Grant - Application Process Click Your and your grant booklet to view the full steps to Apply for...

Article: Basic Income Grant funding, explained

There has been a renewed call for the introduction of a basic income grant. The Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG) has long been spoken...

SAfm: The SRD grant, does that solve our poverty, inequality?

Isobel Frye, Director of the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute dissects the newly implemented Social Relief of Distress grant and what it is...

Statement of the NEDLAC Community Constituency on the reintroduction of the R350 SRoD Grant

The Community Constituency welcomes the contents of the media briefing of the Minister of Social Development today, 4 August 2021. In the briefing, the...

Article: Post-Apartheid Inequality Sparks Frustration and Fury

"A decent Standard of Living is possible and doable," Isobel Frye, Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute. An article from Bloomberg, Businessweek: The...

Article: South Africa has run out of options, say economists

"The debate on the social safety net has shifted since the July unrest – and there is now broader agreement that extreme poverty and...

PowerFM: Isobel Frye speaks on the dire situation of Poverty

How dire is the situation of poverty? Frye explains that we are in an incredibly serious situation, and that 13 million people were living...

SABCnews: Treasury announces a R36.1 billion Social Relief Fund

"If there is a will, we will find a way to find the money." – Isobel Frye, Director at the Studies in Poverty and...

SAfm: The Talking Point with Isobel Frye and Cathy Mohlahlana

“We need to have an urgent humanitarian intervention,” – Isobel Frye The Director of Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute, Isobel Frye, makes...

Newzroom Afrika: Government reintroduces R350 Social Relief Grant, discussion with Isobel Frye and the urgency of a Basic Income Grant

“This is the time when political will comes forward, the vision that we have for a Decent Standard of Living is affordable and doable.’...

eNCA: R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, discussion with Isobel Frye

“Recognising the magnitude of this response, we hoped it would have been seamless.” – Isobel Frye, Director of the Studies in Poverty and...

The Watchdog outlines the need for a Basic Income Grant

The Watchdog SABC news, based on reports from the Institute of Economic Justice, discusses how the basic income grant may be financed by a...

Letter: Judith’s Prudence, Daily Maverick

‘Now is the winter of our discontent…’ Shakespeare: Richard III, spoken by Gloucester 'Despair is the state we fall into when our imagination fails....

New calls for the basic income grant – Cape Talk radio

"I think it is fair to say now before ever there are signals that the basic income grant is being considered by government."...

The Academy of Science in South Africa (ASSAf), in partnership with the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Social Policy at the University of South Africa (UNISA), cordially invites you to the webinar outlining Inequality and Poverty

What must be done if the state is to be capable of poverty and inequality reduction? In the context of weak state capacity and...

The importance of basic income grant is highlighted by the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute

"The Poverty and Inequality Institute has emphasised the importance of a basic income grant of R1 268 per month – saying people living on...

BIG is best: Civil society campaign highlights urgency of basic income grant after recent looting

"If the recent unrest in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal has shown us anything, it is that it has never been more urgent to...

Media Advisory: Mandela Day Lecture: SPII Proposes BIG Solutions to Growing Poverty and Unrest is SA

Media Advisory For Immediate Release 19 July 2021 SOUTH AFRICA - During a panel discussion reflecting on former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy in...

Op-ed: #UnrestSA: Painful corrective or forerunner of things to come?

Social justice activists have tried repeatedly to present this data to policymakers over growing inequalities and to how that policy choices are not reflective...

Op-ed: We need a real commitment to poverty relief’s Basic Income Grant idea, not more talk from the ANC

In his January 8 speech, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed the ANC to “intensify other poverty alleviation measures alongside the economic recovery. This year, the ANC, government...

The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC), Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII), Black Sash, and #paythegrants invite you to a meeting to discuss a national strategy for Universal Basic Income.

Transform not Reform. Strategic Meeting to Advance National Strategy for universal Basic Income and Recognition of the Care Economy as first step to building...

SABCnews: Unrest with Mpho Mhlongo on Poverty, Food Insecurity and the need for a Basic Income Grant

"Violent protests and looting are a major threat to food security," - Mpho Mhlongo, Company Secretary Intern and Researcher from the Studies in Poverty...

Launch of the SADC and Namibia BIG Reports

The following two research reports form part of a research project that SPII have undertaken over the past two years with funding support from...

Universal Basic Income in South Africa: Perspectives from Private Sector and Civil Society

The global pandemic has exposed an underlying gap which exists in South Africa and has stressed the need for a basic income grant due...

ACT Ubumbano Learning Hub #5

Community voice, human dignity, and the demand for a Basic Income Grant. Monday, 14 September 2020, ACT Ubumbano hosted a webinar to reflect on...

Calls for Government to Make Relief Measures Permanent

Basic Income Grant could be a massive game changer which transforms South Africa’s social security system and could be a key contributor to lifting...

Chris Hani Institute – Political Economy Series: Universal Basic Income Guarantee

The global pandemic sparks interest around the concept of a universal basic income grant in SA and calls for implementations to be intensified following...

Social Protection Responses in SADC: A Review of Current and Future Cash Transfer Programmes

SPII alongside with the Southern Africa Trust and OSISA co-hosted a roundtable webinar that considers social cash transfers as a critical policy tool that...

Universal Basic Income In South Africa – Podcast

Informal Economy Podcast: Social Protection · #17 Universal Basic Income In South Africa

Universal Basic Income: Global Experience and Policy Options for South Africa – ANC and Guy Standing

Universal Basic Income: Global Experience and Policy Options for South Africa. Source: MyANC - YouTube

Basic Income Support: A Case for South Africa

Why A Basic Income Support? Basic income support can eliminate poverty with dignity and security for all Contributes to equity and social cohesion –...

Rewired: Can South Africa afford not to implement a BIG?

Can we afford NOT to have a BIG in South Africa? — Pilots, multipliers and Covid- recovery stimulus - let the evidence lead Guy...

Media Statement: People United in National Day of Working Class Action

On Saturday, 1st August 2020 #PayTheGrants campaign participated in the working class Day of Action in South Africa to protest the state’s dismal response...

What is the Big Idea? Managing the Expectations of the Basic Income Grant

Sacha Knox, Senior Researcher & Budget Analyst at The Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute on SAfm talking basic income grant and matters incidental...

Think Big – Basic Income Grant Needs to Be About More Than Just Food, Say Researchers

The idea of a basic income grant is a response to the failure of government to create jobs, says an expert. Social Development Minister...

Rewired: Does South Africa need more Austerity or a Fiscal Stimulus?

Does South Africa need more Austerity or a Fiscal Stimulus? — Can SA Reimagine Fiscal Policy in the wake of the Covid-19 depression? Busi...

How Covid-19 Created a Humanitarian Crisis in SA – Podcast

Listen to the podcast here. Covid-19 has affected economies the world over, costing people jobs and compelling businesses to shut down. In South Africa,...

BIG Announcement

Isobel Frye shared panel with Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Sakina Kamwendo to discuss the introduction of the universal basic income grant. Source: SABC News -...

Basic Income Grant Implementation on the Table for South Africa

With the country's unemployment rate soaring since the start of the lockdown and a million jobs being lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the...

South Africa is Considering Implementing a Universal Basic Income Grant

Isobel Frye speaking on how South Africa is considering the implementation of the Basic Income Grant (BIG). This grant is aimed at providing social...

Rewired: Monetary policy shibboleths and sacred cows

Monetary policy shibboleths and sacred cows — Understanding how past bad orthodox monetary policies must change Owen Willcox | Oxford Policy Management In this...

Rewired: What is the BIG idea?

What is the BIG idea? — The Idea whose time has come Ravi Naidoo In this episode Isobel and Duma talk to Ravi Naidoo,...