6 December 2024
Willem Witbooi is one of about nine million South Africans who get the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant. Last week he spent his grant on eight items including flour, eggs and milk. Photos: Marecia Damons
Early on Black Friday morning, the Checkers store in George was already abuzz with shoppers searching for discounts. Among them was 52-year-old Willem Witbooi, who has been getting the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant since it was introduced in 2020.
GroundUp joined Witbooi last Friday soon after he collected his R370 grant. He is one of approximately eight to nine-million people who receive the grant monthly.
He lives in an RDP house in Reiger Park, George, with six family members. His partner, Hilda Pêrel, and stepdaughter, Beverley Hefke, also receive the grant.
To make ends meet, he does piecemeal gardening for which he gets paid about R200 per job. But during lockdown in 2020, he wasn’t able to work and jumped at the opportunity to apply for the SRD grant.
“I used to work two to four times a week, but even after the lockdown ended, job opportunities were scarce,” he said.
Witbooi chose to receive his grant through a retailer to avoid bank and transaction fees for withdrawing it. To collect his grant from the Money Market counter at Checkers, Witbooi was asked to present his ID and cellphone number, the cashier confirmed his details and gave him R370 in cash.
The original total of Witbooi’s shopping came to R376.32, but thanks to Black Friday discounts, he ended up only paying R312.50.
Working on a tight budget can be a challenge. Especially so when all you have to work with is R370.
The original total of Witbooi’s shopping came to R376.32, but thanks to Black Friday discounts, he ended up paying R312.50. Here’s what he bought:
Witbooi used the remaining balance of about R58 to buy electricity.
He said they use the flour to knead dough for bread or vetkoek during the month.
In total, the family received about R2,170 in social grants last month: the three SRD grants and two R530 child support grants for Hefke’s children aged 7 and 2. Hefke’s husband contributes additional income from his blue collar job.
Pêrel, Witbooi’s partner, said that she gives R200 of her R370 grant to Hefke for additional necessities. Pêrel uses the remaining R170 for bread, eggs, tea, and snacks throughout the month. Electricity costs are shared in the household, they can spend up to R130 on electricity because they use gas for cooking.
Hefke’s monthly spend on groceries and essentials for the family usually includes
“If I can’t afford the transport costs during the month, I arrange to pay the driver after all the grants are paid (including the child support grant),” Hefke said.
She also buys porridge and snacks for her two children. “I usually buy meat for the house, but I couldn’t afford it this month because I still owe someone money.” She said the household’s expenses differ each month.
Despite their efforts at strategic budgeting, Witbooi says his family often falls short. However, he insists that his family would be in a far worse situation without the SRD grant.
“This grant has really come as a massive help for us. The money has helped us keep the lights on and put food on the table, especially by the end of the month which is normally a struggle,” he said.
Willem Witbooi walking through the aisles to buy household essentials with his SRD grant.