Thirty-four percent of South Africans on the lower income scale had gone to bed hungry during the national lockdown, which the country was forced into on March 26 to fight the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The survey was conducted by the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Social Change, with support from Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) division.

The main aim of the Covid-19 Democracy Survey was to determine public perceptions of the economic, social and political impact of Coronavirus on life across the country.

UJ Centre for Social Change Director Professor Kate Alexander said that the number of those who faced hunger increased even in the middle-income bracket.

The online survey was conducted using the #datafree Moya Messenger App, which is currently used by 4-million people across the country.

“It is worth noting that the Deputy Director of the Department of Social Development told parliament that roughly 50% of the South African population is food insecure, mainly attributed to growing poverty and unemployment,” she said.

Alexander said the survey also revealed that a large majority of all adults in the lower to higher income bracket agreed that food parcels should be given to all those who need them.

The survey also revealed that many people struggled to pay for their expenses during lockdown while those on the higher incomes were able to manage their bills.

When the participants were asked about their financial situation, the response was general concern.

On the issue of the extension of the lockdown from level 5 to 4, the extension was far less popular to those on the lower income as compared to those on the higher income bracket.

“It is not unreasonable to assume that those who were less disposed to the extension adopted that view because of poverty and their inability to gain the income that was possible for them in the pre-lockdown period,” she added.

The survey also revealed that many South Africans had developed multiple stress-related conditions since Covid-19.

Coordinator at the South African Social Attitudes Survey and Chief Research Specialist at the HSRC Dr Ben Roberts said the Covid-19 pandemic has placed society and citizens under increasing duress.

He said there has been a growing concern of the long-term high-level lockdown in the whole world.

He said the fully operational lockdown in more than 100 countries has been described as the largest psychological experiment in the world.

Dr Roberts said looking into South Africa as one of the most unequal societies in the world, the economic effect has been devastating.

Looking at the population’s mental health, the survey revealed that many respondents based on their backgrounds were relatively depressed, stressed, lonely, fear, sadness and anger.

At the far end over 10% reported being happy.