It is estimated that more than 40% of South Africans live below the breadline. A study done by University of Stellenbosch’s Department of Economics the analysis showed that 47.1% of the population did not have R300 for essential food items. The report also found that although SA have a well developed social grant system a large proportion of the poorest household live in informal and traditional dwellings.

The high poverty rate among households headed by persons 65 and older, reflect the destitute amongst the recipients of state old-age grants. There are an estimated 12.4 million recipients of social assistance grants in South Africa. As growth improves and more people enter the economy the living standard of many will improve, the poor will still be with us.

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