A Life Transformed by the SRD R350 Grant

When Nomsa Dlamini, a 34-year-old mother of two from Soweto, lost her job in early 2023, her world collapsed overnight. For the past five years, she had worked as a cashier at a small grocery store, earning just enough to cover the rent, school uniforms for her children, and basic groceries.

It was never much, but it was stable. When the store closed down due to financial difficulties, Nomsa found herself unemployed and without any savings to fall back on.

At first, she tried to stay positive. She believed she would find another job quickly, but weeks turned into months, and the reality of South Africa’s high unemployment rate hit her hard.

With no income, Nomsa struggled to keep food on the table. Her landlord gave her multiple warnings about late rent payments, and the stress began to affect her health.

Her two children, aged 9 and 12, often went to school without breakfast, and sometimes they returned home to an empty kitchen.

Discovering the SRD R350 Grant

One afternoon, while standing in line at a community soup kitchen, Nomsa overheard two women talking about a government grant called the SRD R350 Grant. They explained how it provided monthly financial support for unemployed individuals.

At first, Nomsa was skeptical. R350 did not sound like much, and she had doubts about whether she would qualify. But desperation pushed her to find out more.

The next day, she borrowed her neighbor’s old smartphone and visited the SASSA SRD website. To her surprise, the application process was straightforward. She filled in her ID number, contact details, and bank information.

She also tried applying through WhatsApp, which was even easier for her to manage. Within a few weeks, she received a confirmation SMS: her application had been approved.

The First Payment

Nomsa still remembers the day she received her first payment. It was the end of the month, and she was down to her last packet of maize meal. When the message from her bank came through—“Deposit: R350”—she cried tears of relief. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was enough to buy basic groceries: rice, beans, bread, and cooking oil. For the first time in months, her children had a proper dinner.

That night, as she watched her kids eat with smiles on their faces, Nomsa realized that the grant was more than just money—it was hope. It gave her breathing space, a chance to focus on finding a job without the constant fear of hunger.

Building Stability

Over the next several months, the SRD R350 Grant became Nomsa’s lifeline. She carefully budgeted every cent, prioritizing food and transport.

The grant allowed her children to go to school with lunch packs, which improved their concentration in class. It also helped her travel to job interviews, something she couldn’t afford before.

Nomsa also began using part of the money to attend free community workshops on basic computer skills. She realized that if she wanted better job opportunities, she needed to improve her digital literacy.

The R350 didn’t cover all her needs, but it acted as a stepping stone toward rebuilding her life.

A Shift in Perspective

Beyond the financial relief, the grant gave Nomsa something she had lost: dignity. Before receiving the SRD payments, she often felt ashamed, relying on neighbors or local charities for food.

With the grant, she could contribute to her household again, even if modestly.

Her children noticed the difference too. “Mama, we have food again,” her youngest son said one evening, holding a slice of bread. That simple statement reminded her that stability, no matter how small, had a profound impact on her family’s wellbeing.

A New Beginning

After a year of receiving the grant, Nomsa’s persistence paid off. She secured a part-time position as a receptionist at a local clinic. The salary wasn’t large, but it was stable and enough to move her off the grant.

When she went to the SASSA office to close her application, she felt a mix of gratitude and pride.

“I wouldn’t have survived without it,” she told the officer who assisted her. “That R350 gave me and my children a chance to stand again.”

Today, Nomsa continues to work at the clinic and has even started saving a small portion of her income for emergencies. Her children are thriving in school, and she dreams of enrolling in a nursing program in the future.

Nomsa’s story is just one among millions of South Africans whose lives have been touched by the SRD R350 Grant. While the amount may seem small, its impact is enormous.

For families like hers, it provides not just financial relief but also hope, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild.

The grant may not solve all problems, but as Nomsa’s journey shows, sometimes even a modest hand of support can transform despair into resilience and give people the courage to dream again.