'There's no way R350 Covid-19 grant can turn into the potential of a livelihood'
Abrahams, the programme co-ordinator at the Economic Justice and Dignity Group, says the R350 works out to just over R11 per day for the month, which is the equivalent of a loaf of brown bread.
The special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant will go to those who are unemployed and do not receive any other social grant or UIF payment.
Abrahams says the grant is meant to help millions of unemployed people who need to create a livelihood for themselves.
But this is not possible for R350 per month.
RELATED: System needed to ensure coronavirus grant reaches the right hands - Lindiwe Zulu
Essentially, it means that there can be an extra loaf of brown bread coming into a household every day.
Mervyn Abrahams, Coordinator - Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group
It's very low and people will not be able to live off it... It's a missed opportunity.
Mervyn Abrahams, Coordinator - Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group
For R350 a month, for six months, there's no way you can turn that money into the potential of a livelihood.
Mervyn Abrahams, Coordinator - Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group
Listen to the discussion on Afternoon Drive with John Maytham:
More from Covid-19 coronavirus explained

Germany Covid-19 death rate now higher than US - considers 'mega lockdown'
Germany has squandered its early success in restricting Covid-19, laments Deutsche Welle Correspondent Chelsey Dulaney.
Read More
Prioritise drivers for vaccination against Covid-19 - National Taxi Alliance
It's a fact - minibus taxis are essential for the functioning of the economy. Lester Kiewit interviews Alpheus Mlalazi (NTA).
Read More
'Undertakers have carried caskets from the hearse to the graveside in full PPE'
The Funeral Federation Of SA's Dr Lawrence Konyana addresses the lack of uniformity around funeral procedures under lockdown.
Read More
'Every hospital mortuary is full. Bodies kept in refrigerated tent in the woods'
Britain is running out of space for its dead bodies, reports UK correspondent Adam Gilchrist.
Read More
As SA remains on level 3 WC's health boss say booze ban is working
Dr Saadiq Kariem says there was a 65% drop in trauma unit admissions on New Year's Day 2021 compared to the same time last year.
Read More
South African invention revolutionises oxygen delivery to Covid-19 patients
"I have witnessed this device saving lives," says Dr Warren Gregorowski of the proudly South African device.
Read More
'ANC is against another hard lockdown'
"Family meeting" – the scariest words in the English language. Bruce Whitfield interviews News24 Political Editor Qaanitah Hunter.
Read More
[WATCH] President Ramaphosa addresses an anxious SA (Monday, 11 Jan)
President Cyril Ramaphosa's Covid-19 address is done and dusted. Watch the entire recording, right here.
Read More
Alcohol ban was wildly effective at preventing trauma - data
The data is conclusive. Banning alcohol sales prevents trauma. Partially banning it partially prevents trauma (Dr Saadiq Kariem).
Read More
South Africa gets 1.5m AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine doses from India
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize made the announcement on Thursday.
Read More