The Effectiveness of the COVID-19 Economic and Social Relief Package as a Poverty Alleviation Strategy in South Africa

In South Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has subjected the population to abject poverty. In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, the South African government disbursed R500 billion (US$ 2 879 935 450) economic and social relief package (ESRP) to help fight the negative effects of COVID-19 on the economy and cushion vulnerable societies from extreme poverty for 6 months (May to October 2020). Of interest to this chapter is the delivery of targeted assistance to households and individuals to relieve poverty and social distress. A qualitative research approach was adopted. Data was gathered from authoritative secondary sources, while a thematic approach was utilised to analyse the data. A major finding of this chapter is that the ESRP intervention was necessary to cushion households against income induced food insecurity by providing a social grant, food parcel and unemployment benefits, including paid holidays. However, the intervention was affected by numerous issues including administrative bottlenecks, inadequacy given that the average South African household size is much bigger, irregular costing of food parcels as well as travel and contact restrictions. It is recommended that the government adopts a multisectoral response to ensure an increase in cash and non-cash resources to poor households and children.