Maternal health plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Yet, in South Africa, many pregnant women face challenges accessing basic resources like food and healthcare.
A 2023 article published by The Conversation shared insights following a study that revealed most women in high-income countries lack essential vitamins. This includes folic acid, riboflavin, vitamins B6, B12, and D, even before pregnancy, which are vital for maternal health and infant development.
The research, involving over 1 700 women in the UK, Singapore, and New Zealand, found that enhanced vitamin supplements significantly improved vitamin levels during pregnancy, reduced deficiencies, and showed benefits such as lower homocysteine levels and extended vitamin B12 effects post-birth.
While the study emphasised the importance of proactive vitamin supplementation to support maternal and infant health during pregnancy and beyond, it also demonstrated the vital role of access to adequate food.
To combat this issue in South Africa, the MSG Advocacy Coalition, a network of NGOs and researchers, is urging the government to commit to adopting the proposed monthly Maternal Support Grant (MSG).
The grant aims to provide financial support to pregnant women for the duration of their pregnancy, helping them address essential needs such as access to food and healthcare.
Although the proposal has garnered support from several organisations, interest groups and the South African Law Reform Commission, concerns surrounding costs, dependency, and alignment with other policies have led to significant delays in its implementation.
Julie Mentor from Embrace – The Movement for Mothers tells EWN that the concerns that the money could be misused are unfounded, highlighting how many other countries have successfully implemented similar social grants.
“We know there are about 26 other countries that have similar social protection. The evidence from those grants shows that women use those grants to support their needs and their unborn babies.”
Mentor is referring to low- and middle-income countries, such as India, Bangladesh, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Kenya, and Brazil, which have introduced pregnancy grants, voucher schemes, conditional cash transfers, and nutritional support.
These interventions have proven effective in ensuring that mothers and children can access good nutrition during and after pregnancy.
All talk, little action
In South Africa, the formal introduction of this idea began in 2012, following thorough research and an analysis of its long-term benefits for expectant mothers and the broader society. However, over a decade later, the Maternal Support Grant draft policy remains unimplemented.
The research concluded that providing financial aid during pregnancy enables mothers to invest in nutritious food and essential healthcare.
These investments significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes, including a reduction in instances of low birth weight and stunting.
The grant would also fill a critical gap in providing social protection for unemployed women and those working in informal sectors, helping to break the cycle of poverty by focusing resources on the vital first 1 000 days of a child’s life.
Money for the proposed grant would be funded from the national government fiscus, primarily through the Department of Social Development (DSD), as an extension of the existing Child Support Grant (CSG).
Despite this, several issues have stalled progress. These include the financial feasibility of the grant due to its significant upfront cost amid current economic challenges. Misconceptions persist that the grant would incentivise pregnancies, especially among teenagers, and promote dependency on state support or be misused.
What do South Africans think?
Many of the people News24 has spoken to about this idea have welcomed it, particularly after it was explained how it could benefit the country as a whole if implemented.
The 29-year-old Mpumi shared, “I actually think women in South Africa should get a maternal grant. There are so many single mothers, so many women who are abandoned when they are pregnant and who live in multi-generational homes where they’re taking care of their parents and their siblings and whatnot.
“And if they’re already in a disadvantaged position, they should get all the support that they can get.”
Marci, a 33-year-old administrative assistant, recalls how she had wished for some support during her pregnancy 3 years ago while she struggled to find employment.
“That money would have gone a long way for me. I went to bed hungry and worried so many times. Things are looking up for me now, but I would hate to see another pregnant woman struggle like I did.”
Unsurprisingly, not everyone is in favour of the initiative.
“Don’t get pregnant,” says 27-year-old Pamela. “The grant sounds like a good idea, but I don’t see it happening, especially now. There are so many things that people are already paying for, so we don’t wanna pay people for being pregnant.”
She added that she would prefer increased funding for child grants and argued that pregnant women already benefit from free clinic visits, which she believes is sufficient support.
As public debate continues, there are increasing calls on the government to prioritise maternal and infant health, arguing that it is a vital investment in the nation’s future.
This article was authored by Marilynn Manuel and published by News24 on 10 November 2025.
