Pensioner living on R2 200 a month: how she stretches her grant to cover essentials
Noah Libbie, 61, from Bonteheuwel, is among roughly four million South Africans who receive the Older Persons Grant. Last Tuesday, GroundUp joined her as she collected her payment and watched how she allocates the money to meet her family’s needs.
After the R2 320 grant is issued, R120 is deducted for a life insurance policy, leaving Libbie with R2 200. She chooses Parow Centre for shopping because it’s the nearest large supermarket complex, and because nearby butcheries and grocers reportedly offer lower prices. Libbie, who worked as an examiner at a shoe factory for nearly four decades, reflects on tough times: “I had some tough times… It wasn’t always great working in the factories. Sometimes you want to just leave and walk out, but then you think of your children.” She lives with three daughters, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren. One daughter receives the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant, while the others work. Libbie emphasizes mutual support: “We look after one another. If you don’t have, I give and you give me.”
Spending day: groceries first, then other essentials
After withdrawing R1 000, Libbie set off to run her grant-day errands. Her first stop was Checkers for staple groceries and a few special treats ahead of her grandchild’s upcoming 16th birthday and a family braai. Her purchases included items such as tissues, dishwashing liquid, bread, cheese, boerewors, milk, bottled water, a cleaner, and rolls. The original total was R514.95, but Checkers’ Xtra Savings brought the bill down to R501.97. She also bought a few personal items at Fashion World for R75, explaining she likes to treat herself to a nice dress when she’s paid, though she didn’t find the exact dress she wanted that day.
Her next stop, Fairfield Meat Centre, was for meat, fruit, and spices:
- Box of Dhania Grillhouse Burger patties – R59.95
- Pack of lemons – R10
- Box of pizza bases – R25
- Corned beef – R323
- Box of nectarines – R20
- Box of plums – R20
- Four 11-in-1 spice packs – R100
- Two checkout bags – R2
Total: R559.95
Further down Voortrekker Road, she visited Vis Fabriek for seafood:
- 4 packets of Seafood mix – R239.80
- Small bag at R1.80
Total: R241.60
Her final meat purchase came from Sumthing Meat:}
- Ham and Tongue – R38.50
- Chicken Polony – R30
- French Polony – R18.50
Total: R87
Transportation and remaining needs
Bus fare from Bonteheuwel to Parow and back totaled R30. By day’s end, Libbie had spent R1 495.52 of her R2 200 grant, leaving about R705 for the rest of the month. She stresses the need to reserve money for electricity, bread, and milk: “I must keep that for electricity, bread and milk.” She notes that meat isn’t affordable every month and shares that she still needs items like potatoes, onions, toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, and cleaning products. She adds, “I’m thankful for the money I get, but there’s a lot of things I still need.”
Personal purchases and family support
Libbie also bought a few personal items at Fashion World for R75. Her children remain a crucial support network: “Each one gets me something… When I go out, they’ll give me breakfast money or money for clothes.” The family shares what they have, and Libbie describes how they divide responsibilities: if she can prepare meals ahead, a daughter will cook on Sundays. Their electricity bill runs around R1 000 per month, shared among the household. Libbie underscores that if the children don’t help, life becomes more difficult, but says, “You can’t complain, because everybody struggles.”
Additional income and coping strategies
To stretch her funds, Libbie sometimes earns small amounts by selling sweets, eggs, doughnuts, or rotis—“Sometimes I make R70 to R300 per day… sometimes I make R30, which is at least bread money for me.” Although prudent with her grant, Libbie notes the final stretch of the month is often trying. By the last week, groceries can be depleted, though her daughter occasionally steps in to help. Still, Libbie remains hopeful: “Life has ups and downs. It can’t be bad all the time.”
A broader message
Libbie’s experience highlights the tight budgeting and improvisation many older South Africans rely on to meet basic needs within a fixed grant. Her story shows resilience, the importance of family support, and the trade-offs between nutritious choices and budget constraints. It also invites readers to consider how social protection programs could better cushion the late-month squeeze when essential items like electricity, cleaning supplies, and staple foods stretch budgets to the limit.
Would you like to see a version focused on practical budgeting tips for readers in similar situations, with a breakdown of how to prioritize expenses and stretch a fixed monthly grant even further?
