Opinion - Considering that our senior citizens who receive state grants are finding it extremely hard to eke out a living, I fully support the call by the Pensioners’ Forum that the government offer pensioners a 13th cheque this year.
The forum also wants the government to review the R1700 a month pension and consider paying pensioners R8000 a month.
It must be noted that the recent VAT increase to 15% and the escalating fuel prices have contributed significantly to high food prices, which are hitting pensioners hard financially. Because of the high unemployment rate, pensioners use their meagre pensions to also take care of their families.
The bonus that the pensioners are asking for is equal to what the National Treasury intends to spend to bail out the SA National Roads Agency Limited to cover debts incurred because motorists are not paying their e-toll bills.
Also, if the government can find billions of rand to bail out South African Airways, Eskom and other state-owned entities, there is no reason why it will not be able to find the money to give our senior citizens a 13th cheque.
It makes more sense for the money to go directly into South African pockets to help the 3 million to 4 million pensioners and their families, and act as an economic stimulus by bringing money into the local economy. I believe the pensioners’ struggle is similar to the fight for a living wage.