Julius Malema wants to increase social grants to R4,400 per month using taxpayer money

EFF leader Julius Malema said that they want to increase social grants to a minimum of R4,400 per month, funded by taxpayers.

He shared this information during an address at the EFF’s Mpumalanga Provincial Manifesto Rally on Saturday, 5 September 2026.

He argued that the ANC cannot take away people’s SASSA support grants because these payments are funded by the taxpayers.

Malema added that financial aid, such as the R350 grant, is a right rather than a political gift from the ANC.

He added that the EFF will double social grants when it takes power. “We want it to start grants from R4,500,” Malema said.

The EFF leader also called on the government to guarantee employment or allowances for young people graduating from schools and universities.

“You are the powerhouse of the economy of South Africa. A child must go to school and come back, but they are not working,” he said.

“From the classroom, you must go to work. The government must either give you jobs or give you an allowance.”

During his speech, Malema also took aim at President Cyril Ramaphosa, comparing him to the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

“Cyril Ramaphosa is a thief. He is the same as Pablo Escobar. He is a criminal and a thief,” Malema said.

He added that money meant for public services, ambulances, and healthcare facilities is systematically stolen by corrupt ANC officials.

“The money is there for ambulances to take you to clinics, but it is stolen by corrupt ANC officials. We need to stop the ANC corruption,” he said.

ANC’s Gwede Mantashe says they are behind social grants

Gwede Mantashe, the National Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC), was also on the campaign trail today.

While Malema told supporters that they would increase social grants, Mantashe said people should thank the ANC for grants and RDP houses.

He told a resident in Freedom Park that the ANC was behind the government benefits her family receives, such as RDP housing and social grants.

He told her to remain loyal to the ANC, arguing that even small-scale interventions significantly improve the lives of everyday citizens.

“We do not buy votes. We service the people, and we understand each other. We gave the children. We are not buying votes with bread and milk,” he said.

“In November, vote for the ANC because these things might look small, but they help.”