When registration for the P300 Child Support Grant kicked off in preparation for April, the month the grant was initially set to start disbursing funds to beneficiaries, parents thronged council offices across the country, all eager to benefit from the financial assistance.

To some of the parents; the amount, though quite modest, would be a lifeline -  it would be the difference between hope and despondency. 

When April arrived and the fund had not yet started disbursing financial aid due to finalisation of modalities of managing the grant, parents held on to hope, trusting that government would keep its end of the bargain and deliver on its promise.

The conviction and trust finally paid off when the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs announced on Monday that disbursement of the grant would start forthwith. 

And the response by parents has been nothing but hearty. 

In Selebi Phikwe, Ms Itumeleng Botshabelo has described the grant as a timely and much-needed intervention that will lessen the strain of the expenses associated with caring for a newborn.

The grant makes her feel empowered as it will allow her to purchase essential items such as toiletries and baby supplies, ensuring that her little one has everything needed for a healthy start in life. 

Ms Botshabelo acknowledges that while the grant may not cover all expenses, it offers substantial relief, especially for mothers, who often struggle with limited financial resources. This support, she believes, will make a meaningful difference in their lives, allowing them to breathe a little easier as they navigate the joys and challenges of raising their children.

To another Selebi Phikwe mother, Ms Nchadi Morwadi, the financial support brings about peace of mind during a pivotal time in motherhood. 

The grant not only reflects government’s commitment to supporting new mothers but also underscores the importance of nurturing and caring for newborns during those crucial early months.

While some may view the amount of money as modest, Ms Morwadi believes the effort behind it is what is truly significant as it represents a step towards ensuring the well-being of both mothers and their infants.

In Francistown, beneficiaries have welcomed government’s decision to start payments, saying the grant will go a long way in helping them care for their children.

Ms Khumoetsile Johnson (21) of Kgapamadi ward and mother to a seven-month-old baby is both elated and grateful. 

“I am very grateful to government. I am going to save part of the money for my child. I will not misuse it because the father of my child is also supportive,” she said.

For Ms Mosetsanagape Morake of Maipaahela location, who has seven children including a five-month-old baby, the grant could not have come at a better time. 

“It is difficult to raise children, especially in female-headed households like mine. I will make sure this money is used for my youngest child, while I continue to support the other six,” an emotional Ms Morake quips.

Like other parents of young children, Mr Unopa Batisani (48) of Tutume welcomes the P300 social grant for children aged 12 months and below. 

The father is patiently awaiting the disbursement of four months’ worth of funds for his baby, Obonye Batisani, who turned a year old on 31 July.

While he appreciates the financial support, Mr Batisani feels children should receive the grant up to their fifth birthday, when they would then enrol in government’s pre-primary education programme.

This, he believes would further ease the burden of childcare on unemployed parents like himself. 

For Ms Lumbidzani Molathwa (43) of Selolwane ward in Tutume; a grandparent and caretaker to her teen daughter’s three-months-old baby, the grant is a commendable gesture that will help her better cater for the baby’s needs.

Like Mr Batisani, Ms Molathwa would love for government to review the grant and give babies from deserving families support for a little longer.

Ms Ndapiwa Jenamo (30), a mother to an 11-months-old baby who was assessed and deemed eligible to receive the P300 monthly grant, is grateful to government for the support.

As she and the child’s father are unemployed and rely on ‘piece jobs’ for survival, the grant will come in handy as it will help provide for the child’s needs, thus alleviating the strain on the meagre earnings that they occasionally make.

While by no means adequate to fully provide for a child, the P300 grant is proving to be a necessary safety net; one that allows beneficiaries to take a breather as they juggle their financial needs and responsibilities. ENDS