EUNICE Tyolo of Orange Farm in the Vaal is head of one of the families who depend on social grants.
Tyolo, 72, is one of the recipients of the government pension which Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan increased by R60 to R1200.
But Tyolo was not pleased with the increase.
"As pensioners we are not satisfied. It's still not enough. Our responsibilities keep adding up, how will R1200 help?
"They give us more money but food prices also go up."
Tyolo is a guardian to her three grandchildren, two girls aged 12 and 15, and an unemployed 22-year-old youngster.
The two girls, who are in high school, have not received social grants since their mother passed away in 2005.
"Sometimes we sleep without food," said Tyolo.
"Sometimes the girls want to get their hair done but I cannot afford to give them money."
Having applied numerous times and being sent from pillar to post, Tyolo is now waiting to see if her last attempt will bring any joy to their lifestyle.
This year pension increased by R60 to R1200. Foster-care grants increased to R770 and child support grants have raised to R280.
Yesterday Gordhan said the government was mindful that these increases might have to be reassessed if inflation continued to rise.
In September 2011 the number of child support grant beneficiaries was 10615923 but had increased to 10792762 by December. A staggering 176839 more children were provided with support. The number of foster-care grant beneficiaries in the same period was 560718 but decreased to 504380.
Old age pension grant beneficiaries in the same period was 2681082 but increased to 2712638.
- In 2006, pensioners received R820 per month, while children up to the age of 14 years received R190 social grant. Foster care grant, which is given to guardians who look after orphans, was R590.
- In 2007, the pension was increased to R870, child grant to R200 and foster care to R620.
- In 2008, the grants increased to R940, R220 and R650, respectively.
- In 2009, the pension was raised to R1010, grant for children up to 15 years hiked to R240 while orphans received R680.
- In 2010, pensioners received R1080, child grant went up to R250 and foster care to R710.
- In 2011, pensioners got R1 140, children R270 and orphans R740.
Pensioners not happy
EUNICE Tyolo of Orange Farm in the Vaal is head of one of the families who depend on social grants.
Tyolo, 72, is one of the recipients of the government pension which Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan increased by R60 to R1200.
But Tyolo was not pleased with the increase.
"As pensioners we are not satisfied. It's still not enough. Our responsibilities keep adding up, how will R1200 help?
"They give us more money but food prices also go up."
Tyolo is a guardian to her three grandchildren, two girls aged 12 and 15, and an unemployed 22-year-old youngster.
The two girls, who are in high school, have not received social grants since their mother passed away in 2005.
"Sometimes we sleep without food," said Tyolo.
"Sometimes the girls want to get their hair done but I cannot afford to give them money."
Having applied numerous times and being sent from pillar to post, Tyolo is now waiting to see if her last attempt will bring any joy to their lifestyle.
This year pension increased by R60 to R1200. Foster-care grants increased to R770 and child support grants have raised to R280.
Yesterday Gordhan said the government was mindful that these increases might have to be reassessed if inflation continued to rise.
In September 2011 the number of child support grant beneficiaries was 10615923 but had increased to 10792762 by December. A staggering 176839 more children were provided with support. The number of foster-care grant beneficiaries in the same period was 560718 but decreased to 504380.
Old age pension grant beneficiaries in the same period was 2681082 but increased to 2712638.
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