New Finance Minister Tito Mboweni addressed the National Assembly on Wednesday and confirmed that Sanitary Pads will be part of the zero-rated VAT list.
Wits University released a report shortly before the 15% VAT increase took place to discuss what a VAT increase would do for South Africa and some of its poorest residents. Unfortunately, the increase really does affect those who have much less disposable income to work with.
Part of their report assessed the need to expand the listed items on the zero-rated VAT list. The list currently has 19 items, all of which are classed as necessities for the poor.
They had recommended 8 additional items, all of which were listed on our Facebook Group in a poll format to see what people wanted most.
Many commented that Sanitary Pads should also be added to the list. The list is currently made up of the 19 items below:
- Brown bread
- Maize meal
- Samp
- Mielie rice
- Dried mielies
- Dried beans
- Lentils
- Pilchards in tins
- Milk powder
- Dairy powder blend
- Rice
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Vegetable oil
- Milk
- Cultured milk
- Brown wheaten meal
- Eggs
- Edible legumes
Three items will be added as of April 2019.
- Sanitary Pads
- Cake Flour
- Bread Flour
The good news here is that the panel listened to the public and made Sanitary Pads part of the zero-rated list for 2019. This will offer a great relief to the public, especially lower-income women and girls who rely on Sanitary Pads regularly to attend work and school
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