Struggling pensioners find relief in festive season food vouchers
Financial burdens
The food voucher initiative is a "beacon of hope" to many pensioners
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PENSIONERS relying on SASSA grants said the eThekwini Municipality's food voucher initiative brought much-needed relief during the festive season, allowing them to afford small luxuries and ease financial burdens when they need it most.
They said it was a “beacon of hope” and they eagerly awaited the voucher distribution each year.
Theresa Pillay, 70, of Chatsworth, said she had received a voucher for the first time last year.
“Our Sassa grants are used every month to pay for the lights, water, transport, food and some toiletries. The festive period becomes a stressful time for us, as there is no money to spoil ourselves, our children or our grandchildren.
“When I got the food voucher last year, I was happy. I was able to buy treats like cold drinks and ice-cream for my grandchildren when they visited during the holiday. I was also able to buy biscuits, groceries and a few personal care items for my husband and I. We would normally not be able to afford those items. I was so grateful to have received the voucher,” she said.
“I hope that the initiative continues because it is a huge relief for us as pensioners, who struggle to get through the festive season with only our grant money,” Pillay added.
Lolly Naidu, 71, of Merebank, said she had never received a voucher, but she was hopeful that she would get one this year.
“I spend my entire grant on medical aid. I am a breast cancer survivor and need ongoing tests and treatments to ensure that I remain cancer-free. I often think of stopping my medical aid so that I could be in a better position financially.
“But that would not be in my best interest. I would rather eat dhal and rice every day and know that I could get medical care when I need it,” she added.
Naidu said she found out about the food vouchers a few years ago, but she never thought that she would qualify to be a recipient.
“I have never received the voucher, and I never found out about how I could receive one. If I am selected to receive a voucher, I would use it to buy food for Christmas.
“There is a lot of financial pressure during the year end. We also have to pay for lights and water, which takes a large portion of my grant. There is hardly anything left for food or non-essential items. I have three grandchildren. I would like to spoil them with treats and small Christmas gifts, if I receive the voucher this year,” Naidu added.
Perumalsamy Narainsamy, 69, from the Bluff, is also a grant recipient and has never received the voucher.
“I heard about the vouchers, but I never thought I would be eligible to receive it. My grant money is used to pay for lights and water. My daughter sees to everything else. I have four grandchildren. If I receive the voucher, I will buy food for the house during the festive period to ease the financial burden on my daughter.
“My wife will qualify for a grant next year when she turns 60, and it will be easier for us financially. For now, we have to make do with what we have and hope that everything works out,” Narainsamy said.