The basic income grant (BIG) is a periodic cash transfer that is unconditional and permanent, and paid to all individuals in society. As a social security measure, the BIG is a necessary means to enhance income security for all through the redistribution of wealth generated by all. Thus, the BIG is not just a means for fighting poverty and reducing inequality, but it is also an economic stimulus that increases the purchasing power of a country’s population through direct unconditional cash transfers.

As a social security measure, the BIG is a necessary means to enhance income security for all through the redistribution of wealth generated by all. Thus, the BIG is not just a means for fighting poverty and reducing inequality, but it is also an economic stimulus that increases the purchasing power of a country’s population through direct unconditional cash transfers.

This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the policy developments for social security before and after 1994. This analysis enables an assessment to be made on how far the constitutional obligation to progressively realise the right to social security and social assistance for those who can’t provide for themselves has been realised, and the extent to which this obligation has in fact driven the policy making process.

This exercise encourages public accountability in support of the constitutional commitment to advance socio-economic rights. The relationship between the positive duties of the State in Sections 26(2) and 27(2) and the general limitations clause is a complex one. However, the State's positive duties are defined in terms of the adoption of reasonable measures, as we will see in the following section. If the State's conduct or omissions are found to be unreasonable at the outset of the constitutional inquiry, it is difficult to imagine situations in which it could still succeed in establishing a reasonable limitation of the right under Section 36.