DURBAN - President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a massive social and economic support package of R500bn which amounts to about 10% of the country's GDP.
In his address Ramaphosa said there were three measures as far as his governments economic response is concerned and they are now into the second phase.
Ramaphosa said that child support grant beneficiaries would receive an extra R300 in May, and R500 a month from June to October. All other beneficiaries" would get an additional R250 a month for the next six months.
"There would also be a "distress grant" of R350 for the next six months, which would be paid to people who are unemployed and who do not receive other income payments," he said.
The Social Development Department will, through the use of technology, issue food vouchers to the most vulnerable and 250,000 food parcels will be distributed over the next two weeks. "Those abusing the distribution of food parcels will face the full might of the law," Ramaphosa said.
"Despite several interventions to deal with extremely high unemployment, these are not enough. The coronavirus will lead to many people losing their jobs. An additional R100bn will be set aside for protection of jobs, and to create jobs," he said.
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