TygerBurger Article: Coalition pushes for R2 billion maternal grant ahead of budget deadline
A growing coalition of non-governmental organisations and researchers is calling on the South African government to fund a proposed Maternal Support Grant (MSG) — a time-bound cash grant for pregnant women living in poverty — before a critical budget window closes this Friday, 26 June 2026. The MSG Advocacy Coalition comprises 15 organisations, including Embrace, […]
IOL Article: The Maternal Support Grant under the economic spotlight
An economist has raised a red flag on the proposal to introduce a Maternal Support Grant (MSG) for pregnant women from poor families so that they can afford to eat healthy food and give birth to healthy babies. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) economist Dr Simiso Msomi believes the MSG would have unintended consequences, encouraging women, […]
Cape Talk Interview: A budget window for the Maternal Support Grant
Julie Mentor, Project Lead at Embrace, the Movement for Mothers, spoke to Cape Talk to make the case for a Maternal Support Grant — temporary income support for pregnant women living in poverty, to help them access nutritious food, healthcare and antenatal services during the months that matter most. Speaking on behalf of the MSG […]
NWU Article: Mothers need more support to breastfeed
South Africa has among the most progressive infant feeding policies in the world. The Tshwane Declaration of 2011, signed by ministers, MECs, traditional leaders, and representatives from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, committed the country to protecting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life. The R991 Regulations of 2012 imposed strict […]
MEDIA STATEMENT: Will the Maternal Support Grant be funded in the mission to end stunting?
Friday marks the first deadline for government departments to secure funding for priorities over the next three years, which the Minister of Finance outlines in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement later this year. This is a window of opportunity to finance strategies in the mission to end stunting such as a Maternal Support Grant (MSG) for […]
Written submission to the South African Human Rights Commission: National Inquiry into the Food Systems of South Africa
The Maternal Support Grant (MSG) Advocacy Coalition, of which DGMT is a part, is a group of civil society organisations and researchers advocating for stronger social protection during pregnancy. In February 2026, the coalition made a written submission to the South African Human Rights Commission’s National Inquiry into the country’s food system, highlighting the persistent […]
The Khulisa Care pilot continues in 2026
In his State of the Province Address on 27 February 2026, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde reaffirmed the province’s commitment to the Khulisa Care pilot. Khulisa Care (Khulisa meaning ‘to grow’ in isiXhosa) will continue in 2026 as part of the province’s sustained effort to tackle malnutrition and reduce child stunting. The ongoing commitment by […]
MEDIA STATEMENT: The president wants to end stunting — here’s what we need to fund to make it happen
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s powerful commitment to eradicate stunting by 2030 sets a clear national goal that must anchor National Treasury’s budget priorities over the next three years. The president’s announcement during his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 12 February, follows Cabinet’s approval of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) which […]
News24 Article: Lifeline or another budget burden? Advocates push for SA maternal grant as debate grows
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, […]
Cape Argus Article: Advocacy coalition calls for urgent approval of Maternal Support Grant
The MSG Advocacy Coalition (a growing collective of NGOs and researchers) has called for a swift approval of a Maternal Support Grant (MSG). This comes after the coalition says the Department of Social Development’s proposed Maternal Support Grant (MSG), a monthly cash transfer to pregnant women for nine months, would fill a critical gap in […]