Economic Growth Must Be the State’s Primary New Year’s Resolution

GOOD Statement by Brett Herron, Unite for Change Leadership Council Member and GOOD Secretary-General:

The GOOD Party supports the proposed 1.5% above-inflation rate increase to the minimum wage, which will rise from R28.79 per hour to more than R30 per hour in March 2026.

It is a good, albeit modest step in the context of a nation in dire need of a succession of giant economic strides.

The above inflation rate increase will provide a slight measure of relief to approximately 5.5 million South Africans. They will, however, continue to struggle to keep up with a cost-of-living crisis that disproportionately negatively impacts low-wage earners.

Bottom wage earners are, of course, significantly outnumbered in South Africa by those who are unemployed altogether.  With another Matric cohort about to hit the labour market, the number of young people out of work is of deep concern.

Economies that cannot provide the needs of their people create conditions for potential societal volatility.

Over the past couple of months, South Africa’s economy has shown gentle signs of emerging from the intensive care ward. Getting it moving with a bit of speed must be the State’s primary New Year’s Resolution.

Instruments such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus and the Jobs Fund are critical in achieving our short and medium-term objectives, and the State and private sectors must define a renewed push for increased investment.

Creating jobs, paying dignified wages, and pulling people out of poverty won’t occur overnight. That’s why there’s a need for the State to continue supporting the neediest citizens with grants… and it’s why the GOOD Party believes the SRD Grant is insufficient and should be replaced by a Basic Income Grant (BIG).

It is unconstitutional and unjust – besides unsustainable – to expect those without food to starve until the wheels of the economy are spinning again.

GOOD Gender Equality: The party advocates for gender equality and women’s rights.

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