PRETORIA - 28 million is the number of South Africans who rely on grants from the state, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The figure equates to 47% of the country’s population. Ramaphosa has spoken of the role the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has played in providing grants, which include funds for child support and the elderly, as campaigning gathers pace ahead of this year’s general election. The vote is due to take place between May and August.
The president has been accused of using scare tactics after claiming social welfare programs would be canceled if the ANC lost power.
The ruling party could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since taking power in 1994 following the end of apartheid, say analysts.
