“As these and other recovery measures are being rolled out, we need to do everything in our means to provide support to those in society who continue to face hunger and distress.
“Through the special Covid-19 grants and the top-up of existing grants, close to R40bn in additional support has been provided directly to more than 17 million people from poor households.
“Studies have shown that these grants were vital in reducing the affect of the pandemic on poverty and hunger. The evidence suggests that the expansion of social protection has kept more than five million people above the food poverty line during the past six months.
“The special Covid-19 grant, in particular, represents a significant achievement, reaching more than six million unemployed people in a short space of time.”