Abstract:
This article examines the issue of progressive realisation of the Basic Income
Grant (‘BIG’) in South Africa. The article locates the BIG within the broader
framework of the specific provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of
South Africa (1996) that pertain to the protection of the socio-economic right to
access social security, including, appropriate social assistance. The article
investigates the competence, flaws, challenges and prospects of these provisions
related to the protection of and access to appropriate social assistance for all. It
recognises the polarity of the current social security system in general, and the
inequitable social assistance model. Furthermore, this article evaluates whether
South Africa is progressively realising the ideals encapsulated under the BIG.
