​Qaqambile Mdledle
All citizens aged 60 and older who will receive their first COVID-19 vaccine in November will receive a R100 grocery voucher.
The voucher will be redeemable at Shoprite, Checkers or U-Save supermarkets across the country.
The vouchers will be sent via SMS to the cell number used to register for the vaccine. 
Department of Health said the vouchers will serve as an incentive to encourage older people to get vaccinated before the fourth wave, which is expected early in 2022.
The initiative is sponsored by the DG Murray Trust, Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropy, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Elma Vaccine and Immunization Foundation and Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said the private sector is looking at innovative ways to incentivise the estimated 2 million in the age group to come forward for the COVID-19 vaccine.
"We hope the pilot will be a success so that it can encourage other companies to come forward. We welcome other initiatives which are still being considered," said Minister Phaahla.
DG Murray Trust chief executive Dr David Harrison, said the grocery voucher aims to make it easier for the elderly who have not had any vaccination dose yet, to come for vaccination. 
Often, as breadwinners of households, travelling to a vaccination site meant taking money from something else.
"That is why we decided that during November anyone aged 60 and older would receive a grocery voucher that can be redeemed within 30 days, don't have to register; they will be identified through the EVDS system," said Harrison. 
In addition, health workers who worked at pop-up vaccination sites during the national voting day would also receive Nando's vouchers after their numbers had been tallied.