Institute for Economic Justice

20/08/2026

Newsletter | South Africa produces enough food, yet millions cannot afford nutritious diets. As provincial consultations on the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan 2027–2037 are set to begin, our latest newsletter explores how public participation can help place food affordability at the centre of the new plan. It also shares IEJ research on food prices, climate adaptation, and civil society action. https://mailchi.mp/iej.org.za/newsletter-shaping-south-africas-food-and-nutrition-security-plan

20/08/2026

CALL FOR PROPOSALS | The IEJ is looking to contract a consultant to undertake a study on bridging informality and care in South Africa. The research will examine how women’s informal employment intersects with unpaid care responsibilities, and explore policy pathways to extend care, labour and social protection while recognising and strengthening informal care providers. The terms of reference can be found here 👉🏾 https://iej.org.za/opportunity/terms-of-reference-bridging-informality-and-care/

20/08/2026

CALL FOR PROPOSALS | The IEJ is looking to contract a consultant to undertake a study on financing and investment models for the care economy in South Africa. The research will examine opportunities, constraints and pathways for scaling care services and infrastructure, and will inform policy development, investment strategies and South Africa’s Draft National Care Strategy. The terms of reference can be found here 👉🏾 https://ow.ly/9UzH50ZzSTp

20/08/2026

OPINION | In this new Business Day piece, Kelle Howson and Siyanda Baduza show that nearly 10-million people who meet the criteria for the SRD grant are being shut out. With the Supreme Court of Appeal set to hear the landmark SRD case on 25 August, the question is urgent: how many people should really be getting the SRD grant?

Read:

Outdated income threshold for social relief of distress grant and the definition of what constitutes ‘financial support’ leave millions without aid

20/08/2026

Road to the Supreme Court of Appeal | Part 4

What did the High Court actually decide?

In January 2025, the North Gauteng High Court delivered a landmark judgment in favour of the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and .

Among its findings, the Court held that:

• The online-only application system was irrational and unlawful.
• Flawed bank verification and database checks unlawfully excluded eligible applicants.
• The SRD grant could not simply be treated as a temporary measure.
• Government must develop a plan to progressively improve both the value of the grant and the income threshold.
• Certain verification measures instituted by DSD and SASSA had the ulterior motive of excluding entitled persons in order to save money.

Rather than implementing the judgment, government chose to appeal.

On 25 August, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear that appeal.

Read the judgment:
https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IEJ_Social-Relief-of-Distress-Grants_HC-judgment.pdf

18/08/2026

Road to the Supreme Court of Appeal | Part 3

The journey to the Supreme Court of Appeal began in July 2023.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) launched legal action challenging regulations and administrative systems that prevented millions of eligible people from accessing the SRD grant, as well as the failure to increase the grant for inflation.

Among the issues raised were online-only applications, restrictive means testing, flawed verification systems and an appeals process that often repeated the very barriers applicants were trying to challenge.

More than two years later, the matter now reaches the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Read the joint statement that marked the beginning of the litigation journey:
https://iej.org.za/press-room/statements/joint-statement-iej-ptg-seri_srd-court-case/

18/08/2026

WATCH | SRD Grant Appeal Hearing: Civil society and media briefing

Ahead of the 25 August Supreme Court of Appeal hearing, IEJ, and SERI came together to unpack the SRD grant appeal and what is at stake.

The briefing covered the litigation, the High Court ’s appeal, followed by a Q&A with civil society and media participants.

📷 Watch: https://t.co/RIzsJmOJI9