THE fast-growing number of poor white South Africans has been put in the spotlight in the National Assembly.
"The increase in white poverty has, according to the SA Institute for Race Relations, been ... more than 95 percent and you have more than 430,000 poor whites at this stage," Freedom Front Plus chief whip Corné Mulder said.
Around Pretoria there were more than 70 informal settlements in which whites lived.
The Bureau for Market Research had indicated that there were more than 650,000 whites, of 16 years and older, who had no income whatsoever.
Mulder said it was the government's contention that no distinction was made between poor white or black people when it came to getting help, but this did not appear to be what was happening in practice.
"Is the government prepared to investigate this issue because it's becoming more and more serious?" he asked Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Responding, Motlanthe said the government strove to attend to the needs of all poor South Africans, regardless of race.
"There is no barrier based on skin colour. What needs to happen is, where these communities are squatting ... and they have no access to an income stream ... they need to apply for RDP houses."
White poverty in spotlight
THE fast-growing number of poor white South Africans has been put in the spotlight in the National Assembly.
"The increase in white poverty has, according to the SA Institute for Race Relations, been ... more than 95 percent and you have more than 430,000 poor whites at this stage," Freedom Front Plus chief whip Corné Mulder said.
Around Pretoria there were more than 70 informal settlements in which whites lived.
The Bureau for Market Research had indicated that there were more than 650,000 whites, of 16 years and older, who had no income whatsoever.
Mulder said it was the government's contention that no distinction was made between poor white or black people when it came to getting help, but this did not appear to be what was happening in practice.
"Is the government prepared to investigate this issue because it's becoming more and more serious?" he asked Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Responding, Motlanthe said the government strove to attend to the needs of all poor South Africans, regardless of race.
"There is no barrier based on skin colour. What needs to happen is, where these communities are squatting ... and they have no access to an income stream ... they need to apply for RDP houses."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos