- NGOs and researchers urge South Africa’s government to approve a Maternal support grant (MSG) to address rising child poverty and malnutrition, with a focus on improving maternal nutrition and child development.
- Financial support for pregnant women is shown to improve maternal health, antenatal care, mental health, and child nutrition, reducing stunting and fostering better cognitive and educational outcomes for children.
- Despite recommendations and research supporting the MSG, progress has stalled, with a coalition of organizations continuing to push for the approval of the grant to break the cycle of poverty and inequality.
A coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and researchers is calling on the South African government to approve a Maternal Support Grant (MSG) for poor pregnant women, warning that child poverty and malnutrition continue to rise at alarming rates.
The call comes ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday 6 February, emphasizing the urgent need to close a critical gap in the country’s social protection system.
On Wednesday 29 January, DG Murray Trust (DGMT) held an event at DG Murray House in Claremont, bringing together key advocates for pregnant women. The session served as a platform to discuss policy recommendations, share research findings, and strategize on how to push for the grant’s approval.
“Improving the nutritional status of children starts with improving the nutritional status of mothers, as good nutrition begins in the womb,” says Liezel Engelbrecht, Innovation Manager at DGMT.
Research shows that financial support for pregnant women leads to better maternal nutrition, increased antenatal care visits, and improved mental health outcomes.
However, progress on implementing the MSG has been slow. Late last year, the MSG Advocacy Coalition, including Embrace, the Equality Collective, DGMT, Grow Great, Ilifa Labantwana, SAMRC’s PRICELESS SA, HEALA, and Amandla.mobi was formed to rally public and political support for the grant.
According to DGMT, the country faces the stark reality that nearly 70% of children live in poverty, with almost 40% in households that cannot meet basic nutritional needs. “Given the socio-economic circumstances in which most South Africans live, we need to ensure that pregnant women receive financial support to buy food and other essentials,” says Engelbrecht.
Chronic malnutrition begins in the womb and manifests in stunting – where children are too short for their age due to long-term nutritional deficiencies.
Currently, 29% of children under five in South Africa are affected, with devastating consequences on cognitive development, learning abilities, and future economic productivity. “When children don’t eat well, they can’t grow well and learn well – this has a direct impact on our economy,” warns Nicola Eley, Deputy Executive Director of Grow Great.
“Implementing the MSG is not an act of charity, but rather an act of justice,” says Julie Mentor, Project Lead at Embrace. “
In 2023, the South African Law Reform Commission recommended extending the Child Support Grant (CSG) to pregnant women, yet the draft policy remains unapproved by Cabinet. “We were hoping for progress last year, but to our disappointment, nothing happened,” Engelbrecht explains.
Advocates argue that the MSG could break intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality.
“Children who receive proper nutrition, healthcare, and education have a better chance of breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty,” Eley concludes.
Currently, the government provides 28 million social grants annually, but pregnant women remain excluded from financial assistance that specifically addresses their unique needs and those of their unborn children. Advocates stress that introducing the MSG would ensure that babies receive essential nutrition for brain and body growth, leading to better long-term health and educational outcomes.
