On June 16, 2012, Khayelitsha, South Africa, has faced protests in favor of basic income, according to Sisi Lwandle. Khayelitsha Progressive Youth Movement and New Women’s Movement demanded basic income grant of about 2000 Rand (roughly US$240) per year, increase in child support grant, and end to labor brokers. Many civil society organizations in South Africa call for basic income grant, but government has not adopted any official position on it. The country provides many welfare grants, but able bodied adults without income cannot benefit from any of them. This adds to the fact that there is a high unemployment. Employment conditions are so costly that employers prefer not to employ inexperienced or bad workers. Many pensioners support the members of their family that have no income. If basic income were granted to the citizens, this would take the burden out of pensioners. Government intent of providing a basic income to its citizens in South Africa is a big social challenge and a hole in government policy.

For more on the above proposals, see the following:

BIG Financing Reference Group (March 2004) “Breaking the Poverty Trap:” Financing a Basic Income Grant in South Africa.”  BIG Financing Reference Group.
https://www.blacksash.org.za/docs/financingbig.pdf

Hassen, Ebrahim-Khalil (4 February 2011) “South Africa: The Balance between Growth and Redistribution – Revisiting the Call for a Basic Income Grant.” The South African Civil Society Information Service.
https://allafrica.com/stories/201102040709.html

Kenny, Andrew (14 November 2011) “A Basic Income Grant for Paupers and Vagabonds.” Politics Web.
https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71639?oid=266588&sn=Detail&pid=71639

Lwandle, Sisi (June 17 2012) “Protesters demand Basic Income Grant.” IOL News.
https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/protesters-demand-basic-income-grant-1.1320583#.T_1YWWhpu0c