Give pensioners a 13th cheque

CONSIDERING that our senior citizens who receive state grants are finding it extremely hard to eke out a living, I fully support the call by the Pensioners’ Forum that the government offer pensioners a 13th cheque this year.

The forum also wants the government to review the R1 700 a month pension and consider paying pensioners R8 000 a month.

It must be noted that the recent VAT increase and the escalating fuel prices have contributed significantly to high food prices, which is hitting pensioners hard. Because of high unemployment, pensioners use their meagre pension to also take care of their families.

The bonus that the pensioners are asking is equal to what National Treasury intends to spend to bail out the SA National Roads Agency to cover debts incurred because motorists are not paying their e-toll bills.

Also, if the government can find billions of rand to bail out South African Airways, Eskom and other state-owned entities, there is no reason why it will not be able to find the money to give our senior citizens a 13th cheque.

It makes more sense for the money to go directly into South African pockets to help pensioners and their families, and act as a stimulus by bringing money into the economy. The pensioners’ struggle is similar to the fight for a living wage.