Social Relief of Distress – A small miracle that needs defending

These days it is easy to overlook miracles in the noise of our lamentations. Relentlessly rising inflation, climate change crises, the extreme rise in hunger and in South Africa the national sense of powerlessness as people try to navigate normal with only 60 percent energy – this is all a lot to deal with on any given day.
Inequality: the massive elephant in the Room

While there was only a slight increase of R10.91 (0.2 percent), people are still going to struggle because the national minimum wage is not enough to solve debt and poverty.
‘To help be the change that I want to see, what will I do?’ Take a stand!

The fall of Apartheid is attributed to many forces, both local and international. At the heart of the force that defeated the Apartheid evils, however, was the strength and courage of ordinary people who took a stand, often at a huge personal sacrifice, the writer says.
Embracing Decency and Dignity

Across the globe, including in South Africa and her neighbours, the cost of meeting basic needs is rising exponentially. In South Africa, income sources are dwindling.
Where does the power lie? – OPINION

As the costs mount, it is concerning that no one who is formally in power seems to have any control. And amid all the chaos, the inequalities between the rich and the rest are growing.
Township Economic Think Tank calls for ANC’s intervention

A township Economic Think Tank has called for practical economic interventions by the ANC to revive the country’s township economy, Executive Director, Isobel Frye comments on this.
Social employment: Pleasing programmes, but the Macro must change

A forthcoming publication on unemployment sets out with sickening detail the extent of the unemployment crisis that will sink South Africa.
How do political battles affect the poor?

The public at large will get to have their say when it comes to electing the ruling party, and national and provincial elections are due to be held only in 2024.
Survey: SA economy absorbed extra 240 000 jobs

SA’s economy absorbed an additional 240 000 jobs between 1 July and 30 September 2022. Executive Director, Isobel Frye, weighs in on whether these numbers can be sustained.
Filicide: A story of poverty, hardship and depression

On the evening of November 8, Nomboleko Simayile, a 32-year-old mother of four children ranging in age from 2 to 11 years, allegedly bludgeoned her children to death in the rondavel where they were staying with her parents in Tsalaba village in Engcobo in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.