The Universal Basic Income Coalition (UBIC) has made a submission to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) as part of its National investigative hearing into the food systems of South Africa.
UBIC, a coalition of civil society, labour and research organisations advocating for expanded income support, argues that food insecurity in South Africa is primarily driven by income poverty and unemployment rather than food scarcity. Although the country produces enough food nationally, millions of people cannot afford a basic nutritious diet.
The submission highlights how social grants have historically played a critical role in reducing hunger, but warns that their effectiveness has declined as grant values have failed to keep pace with rising food prices. For example, the Child Support Grant and the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant now fall significantly below the food poverty line.
UBIC also raises concerns about gaps in South Africa’s social assistance system, particularly the absence of permanent income support for working-age adults. Administrative barriers and verification processes are excluding many people who need support, while recent grant reviews risk further reducing coverage.
To address these challenges, UBIC calls for expanded and strengthened income support, including increasing the value of existing grants and transforming the SRD into a universal basic income for adults aged 18–59, starting at the food poverty line.
The submission argues that adequate and accessible income support is one of the most immediate and effective tools available to reduce hunger, and should be implemented alongside broader reforms to make healthy food affordable and accessible to all communities.