Free money? South Africa floats universal basic income for all

The ruling ANC is on a pioneering path to transform the Covid grant into a scheme that aims to combat poverty

South Africa is facing the most dramatic political shift since the end of apartheid after the African National Congress lost its majority in the general election of 29 May. Weeks of difficult negotiations between the ANC and its rivals on how best to form a governing coalition are expected.

One commitment that unites most parties - including the incumbent ANC and its biggest rival, the Democratic Alliance - is to maintain or increase income support for adults, which includes monthly Covid payments to the poorest households.