A basic income to all people?

Both Cosatu/SACP, the DA and some other organisations have been calling on the government to introduce a basic income to all people…….with others saying that should be for unemployed people only…..





On the other hand, the government grants all households some free water and all indigent households free electricity. Social grants to poor people have been increased…..all aged people are eligible for state pension (means test applicable)……….Black people and women are getting preference on jobs……..Black companies are preferred over white companies in state tenders………most township/rural area schools are “no fee schools’…………the government is providing free houses…………medical services at government hospitals and clinics are free……..





Now, firstly, personally I disagree with the provision of houses for free…..I believe that people should provide for their families…….that would bring a sense of pride……..I believe that it was wrong for the ANC to promise people houses……they should have promised them a fully serviced plot and let every person build their houses……….





But back to the basic income; how is it paid? Would real freedom exist if people were all given a basic income. This BI would be given to poor and rich alike: no people will be without money. So everyone would survive. If the state gives you BI, should they tell you what you could do and not do with it”?.....What about those irresponsible people who would use the money for booze and let children suffer?





How would the state ensure that the concept doesn’t promote a culture of not wanting to work…..after all the state is providing…………wouldn’t this create a culture of “no work, government provides” as is happening with houses? Wouldn’t this confirm terms such as bum-loser etc……..





What would happen with other grants? Will they fall away? How much would the BI be……..if in terms of sectoral determinations, the lowest paid worker gets 1600, will that person be interested to go to work if BI is at, say 1500……..





Will people be paying tax on BI, if not then we could all turn out to be writers, painters, and philosophers - and not have to work. There would be no need to work…….





All in all, people would be mainly dependent on the state and the state will manipulate everybody.





What’s your view…….

A basic income to all people?
Hi Zim





I think this is the first were I agree with both you and Bull.


OK Bull exaggerated the unemployment figure, we all know its at 60% and 5 million is not 40% of 40 million but I understand the point he is making.





Its a good point you make about the money being spent on booze.


Our society will be destroyed for ever.





Do you know that in Lesotho they do not have any grants and people are not basket cases like here in SA yes the is high poverty but they are very proud people with integrety who have houses even though they are poor.


They feel that they are entiled to this or that they know they have to work hard to achieve anything in life.
Reply:I strongly disagree with the policy of basic income grants, they were designed in principle for application in first world economies where the majority of those countries populations are actively involved in the economy and unemployment is controlled.


In South Africa the labour force is only 5 million in number and it would be impractical to place the burden of supporting the other 40 million citizens on their shoulders through income grants.


The South African government needs to immediately move away from these Marxist policies, that are already in place, through their predominantly "Social" fiscal budget and move towards a meaningful increase in spending on infrastructure and growing our manufacturing and export markets which would lead to job and wealth creation.


As stated before, social policies only work in the short term and eventually will bankrupt any developing country.


The effect of such policies on the moral fibre of such countries (witness the U.K.) is also an issue of contention to be discussed at a later time.
Reply:Yes I agree with you and Ayiza. A basic income or minimum wage should be guaranteed to workers ESPECIALLY in the developing world as they are too vulnerable to be exploited by greedy multinationals.
Reply:Very interesting question Zim....I also agree with almost everything you say here/your opinion, it would not work it will be socialistic and be the total downfall of the economy, look at what happened to the USSR, if I am getting paid R 1 500 a month to defend people I would really try my best not too work too hard, perhaps one trial and remand all the other cases, I am sure everybody else too, that is why companies give performance bonusses, 14th checks, overseas trips for the families of good workers etc - to encourage them to work harder or to produce more. Anyway it will never happen at the moment the Government is "fed" with taxes from only a small percent of the population (I speak under correction but I think under R 30 000 pa you do not pay tax). If everybody gets paid the same amount of money where will the taxes come from.....how will the masses be paid? But I also see where you are going, just because you are fortunate to have a job, medical aid, house......why can't you also get a "free house, medical service etc."

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