‘Not enough to feed a child’: Report calls for increase to the Child Support Grant

Loading player...
South Africa’s most important safety net for children - the Child Support Grant - is falling dangerously short. A new Child Gauge Report from UCT’s Children’s Institute warns that the R560-a-month grant leaves millions of children hungry, as it still sits below the food poverty line of R796. While the grant has helped lift millions out of poverty since its launch in 1998, experts say it no longer keeps pace with the cost of living. To truly end child hunger, the report says, the grant must rise. Phemelo speaks to the Human Rights Commission’s Eastern Cape Provincial Manager, Dr Eileen Carter, about the report.
5 Nov 2025 3PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

No breath, no drive: Santaco moves to stop drunk taxi drivers

Imagine taxis that simply won’t start if the driver has been drinking. That’s the plan from Santaco, which is rolling out breathalyser devices across its fleet to crack down on drunk driving. Drivers will have to pass a breath test before setting off and retest along the way. With the…
15 Jan 4PM 16 min

Whistleblowers at risk: ActionSA pushes for tougher protection laws

Blowing the whistle on corruption in South Africa can cost you your life and ActionSA says that has to change. The party has unveiled a new “Fallen Whistleblowers’ Bill” aimed at strengthening protection for those who expose corruption and even rewarding them for doing so. This comes after the murder…
15 Jan 4PM 7 min

Two weeks in the dark: DA takes Tshwane power woes to NERSA

After residents and businesses in East Lynne were left without electricity for two weeks, the DA says enough is enough. The party is preparing a formal complaint to energy regulator NERSA, accusing the City of Tshwane of failing to meet its licence conditions to provide a reliable power supply. DA…
15 Jan 4PM 13 min

Music Feature: Building artists, not just hits

What does it really take for artists to thrive? In this week’s music feature, musicologist Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal dives into the idea of building a creative ecosystem that truly supports artistic growth. With music from Adele, Raye, Jessie J and more, the conversation explores creativity, sustainability and what the…
15 Jan 4PM 19 min