SASSA SRD Grant Helped Single Mom: A True Story of Hope and Survival

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) introduced the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant during a time of great uncertainty. When COVID-19 disrupted the lives of millions, the R350 SRD grant became a symbol of survival for those hit hardest.

Among those affected were thousands of single mothers who suddenly found themselves without work or any form of support. This is the detailed story of how one single mother, Thandiwe Mokoena, found hope, resilience, and a new beginning through the SASSA SRD grant.

The Early Struggles

Thandiwe Mokoena lives in Khayelitsha, a township outside Cape Town. Before the pandemic, she worked as a part-time cleaner for a catering company. Her pay was not much, but it helped cover rent, school fees for her two children, and monthly groceries. Life was not easy, but she managed.

When the lockdown started, Thandiwe was among the first to lose her job. The catering company shut down, and with no formal contract, she received no severance pay. As the weeks turned into months, her savings dried up. The landlord began asking for rent. School meals stopped. Shops raised prices. Thandiwe could no longer afford bread and milk daily, let alone electricity.

She tried borrowing money, but most of her neighbours were in the same situation. Thandiwe began skipping meals so her children could eat. She cooked pap with salt water just to fill their stomachs. Poverty, already part of her life, now deepened into desperation.

Finding Out About the SRD Grant

In June 2020, a neighbour told Thandiwe about the SRD R350 grant. It was meant for people like her — unemployed, with no income or support. At first, she didn’t believe it was real. She had no internet access, no smartphone, and didn’t understand how to apply. But she walked to the local library and used their free internet to visit the SASSA website.

She applied using her ID number. The process was confusing at first, but a helpful librarian showed her the steps. She did not own a bank account, so she selected the cash send option for payment. Then came the waiting.

Weeks passed. She checked her status every day at the library. Finally, in August, she saw it: “Approved”. A few days later, she received an SMS telling her to collect her money from a Shoprite store.

The First R350 Payment

Thandiwe remembers holding the cash in her hand. It wasn’t a fortune, but to her, it felt like gold. She bought maize meal, tinned fish, soap, and paraffin. For the first time in weeks, her children went to bed with full stomachs.

With each monthly payment, Thandiwe became more stable. She budgeted every cent. She used one grant to buy school shoes for her son. She saved R100 in December to buy them a small Christmas chicken. She even joined a stokvel with two other mothers — pooling part of their grant money to help one another in case of emergencies.

The Emotional Impact

The SRD grant did more than just pay for food. It gave Thandiwe dignity. She no longer had to beg neighbours or rely on handouts. Her mental health improved. She felt more in control. When her children asked for lunch, she didn’t have to say no.

She also became more active in her community. She helped other women apply for the grant and explained the process to older people who didn’t understand technology. Through this, she formed a small network of support with other mothers, which helped her cope with the isolation and stress of the pandemic.

Using the Grant to Start Small Business

In mid-2021, Thandiwe had an idea. She realised that many people in her area couldn’t afford the big grocery stores anymore. She used one of her SRD payments to buy a small bag of potatoes and onions. She started selling vegetables from a crate outside her house.

The business grew slowly. Every month, she saved a bit more from the SRD money. She added tomatoes, cabbage, and fruit. By early 2022, she had a small table market going. Neighbours came to her not only for food but also to ask how they could start their own side hustle.

This was the turning point. What started as a government lifeline turned into a seed for entrepreneurship.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

Thandiwe’s story is not unique. Thousands of single mothers across South Africa relied on the SRD grant. For many, it meant survival. For others, like Thandiwe, it became the first step toward financial independence.

The SRD grant faced criticism for being too small, too inconsistent, or for the long delays in payments. But to the people receiving it, every rand made a difference. Without the grant, many families would have slipped into absolute poverty.

How the SASSA Grant Changed a Family’s Future

Thandiwe’s children saw the impact too. Her daughter, aged 10, started doing better at school. With food in her belly and a mother who was no longer anxious all the time, she could focus better. Her son, now 13, began helping his mother with the vegetable stand after school. He told her he wants to become a business owner one day.

Their lives are still hard. Thandiwe still struggles with rent and bills. But the SRD grant gave her time to breathe. It gave her the platform to make small but meaningful changes. In her own words, “Without the grant, I don’t know what would have happened. I was sinking. The grant helped me swim.”

Challenges Faced During the Grant Period

While Thandiwe is grateful, she also faced many issues. Some months, payments were delayed. Sometimes, she had to walk long distances to collect her money. The cash send option often had technical problems. There were times when the system said “approved” but no payment came through.

Also, when the grant ended briefly before being renewed, she faced the same fear she felt in 2020. She didn’t know if she could return to her small business full-time without that safety net. Each time the government made changes, it caused stress.

Yet, despite all of this, she managed. Her story shows how even a small grant, when used with care and strength, can create real change.

What Government Can Learn

Thandiwe believes the government should do more. R350 is not enough to cover basic costs, especially with rising food prices. She also suggests better communication about approvals and payment dates. Many people she helped had no idea how to follow up on their applications. Some waited months for no reason, just because their details were wrong.

She also believes the government should invest in helping people like her turn their grants into opportunities. A short course in business or farming, combined with the SRD, could change even more lives.

Final Thoughts

The SRD grant was never meant to be a long-term solution. But for many, it became a vital support during one of the darkest periods in South Africa’s history. It helped people survive. It gave them the time and mental space to plan for the future. In Thandiwe’s case, it turned a desperate situation into a hopeful one.

Her story is one of many. But it reminds us why social grants matter. Behind every payment is a person, a family, a dream. The SRD grant helped a single mom feed her children, rebuild her life, and start a business. That alone makes it a success.

South Africa still faces many challenges — unemployment, inequality, hunger. But as Thandiwe’s story shows, with the right kind of support, even the smallest help can change a life. The SRD grant did that, one mother at a time.