Ngubane, Budget Vote for the 2006/07 financial year
11 April 2006
1. Introduction
Mr Speaker and honourable members, the common perception amongst people is
that my Department is a subdivision of pensions set to alleviate peopleâs
poverty status through the issue of social grants. Indeed, the priority for
government is to put in place programmes and policies to lessen the plight of
the poor and the social security programme has been but one of those programmes
under my Department. However, there has been a realisation that social security
provides short term relief to people but what is required are long term,
sustainable development initiatives in order to promote self reliance and beat
poverty. In a developing nation and young democracy such as ours, we are indeed
fortunate to have the opportunity to provide a range of integrated social
welfare programmes for the most vulnerable members of our community.
Our vision remains that of âpromoting self reliance, sustainable development
and beating poverty.â Due to the transfer of the function of social security to
the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), it became imperative for the
Department to reposition itself for expansive, effective and efficient service
delivery for the future.
2. New strategic focus
Our strategic focus has been revised to ensure that we consciously create
mechanisms that protect, empower and give a voice to our most vulnerable
citizens so that they become effective participants in the development system
and architects of their own future. In this context it is important to
emphasise that the strategy is fully aligned with governmentâs commitment to
accelerate service delivery and with the overall goals of coherence, cost
effectiveness and customer service as spelt out in a variety of documents that
guide the delivery of services by the Department.
The focus should and must be seen as one critical element in the creation of
an integrated public and private developmental social service which is
responsive, customer driven and sustainable in the long term. This has also
conscientised us to seriously consider the review of the current name of the
Department, to be aligned to the new paradigm shift.
The goals embodied in the strategic plan of the Department are:
* provision of leadership on social development to ensure the deepening of
the social policy discourse, policy development and review
* monitoring, evaluation and research to ensure evidence based decision
making
* create an enabling environment for social and human capital investment
* prioritisation of social protection initiatives to build the capacity of
vulnerable groups through social integration
* promote good governance.
3. Accomplishments for 2005/2006
3.1 Programme one: Administration
One of my priorities in enhancing the Departmentâs outreach to communities
was to ascertain first hand information of community needs and concerns. This
process was undertaken through 19 community izimbizos, pension pay point
visits, soup kitchens and office visits. Following my visits, I thereafter
commissioned my senior management to address the pertinent issues at management
meetings, review of the Departmentâs strategic plan and operational plans.
Some highlights of community events include:
* In conjunction with the Minister of Social Development, Dr ZST Skewiya, we
launched the initiative to address vulnerable children at Edendale and the
extension of the Child Support Grant (CSG) at Ndwedwe.
* Celebration of Older Persons Day in the Nsingweni Area at Ngoye.
* World Population Day at Underberg.
A one to one interaction with community members was facilitated through
radio talk shows on a fortnightly basis. Again this proved to be beneficial
especially in promoting the services of the Department and obtaining feedback
from the communities.
In the course of the reporting period we implemented Operation Phothula as a
turn around strategy to improve the delivery of social grants. This programme
owes its success to co-operation with other departments, namely the departments
of home affairs, health and justice. My sincere appreciation goes to these
departments. I would also like to thank those honourable members of this House
who supported this initiative by attending the ten Operation Phothulas. I would
also like to add my special gratitude to all the employees of my Department who
have displayed rare dedication and selfless commitment to make this initiative
a resounding success.
Mr Speaker and honourable members, my Department has in the past years been
negatively criticised on over expenditure. It gives me great pleasure to report
that for the first time we have remained within budget during the past
financial year.
Strengthening of administration continues to be a priority. In terms of our
management of human resources, we have revised policies on transfer of staff
within the Department, sexual harassment, protective clothing, retention and
exit management and employee wellness. In addition, the Departmentâs human
resource and service delivery improvement plans have been finalised and
implemented. In addressing the backlog of misconduct cases 59 cases have been
finalised.
In addressing the scarcity of skills in social work, the national Department
of Public Service Administration, approved the implementation of the regarding
and recruitment strategy for social workers. As a province we have begun to
implement the strategy with an upgrade of salaries for social workers, planning
for learnerships of 260 social auxiliary workers and granted bursaries for
student social workers from rural impoverished families.
The revision and finalisation of the Departmentâs organisational structure
also became necessary with the relocation of the function of social security to
the SASSA. Over 1 095 permanent and 250 contract staff will be transferred.
The Department has also been able to identify our accommodation requirements
for the Departmentâs head office in Pietermaritzburg. My office together with
the office of the Acting Superintendent-General (ASG) and core senior
management staff currently operate from leased premises at Main City Building
and Bramhill House in Pietermaritzburg. Arrangements are in progress for the
remaining staff to relocate from Ulundi to Pietermaritzburg.
Our capital projects have been limited during the last year. We were able to
take occupation of new offices in Vulamehlo and uMsinga. Renovations were
undertaken at Valley View Place of Safety to make provision for the
establishment of the secure care facility. Whilst office accommodation
continues to remain a challenge for the Department interim arrangements have
been provided by the purchase of 32 park homes.
3.2 Programme two: Social security
Mr Speaker and honourable members of the House, social security has been the
main programme of my Department since its inception. The House has already been
appraised of the relocation of the functions of social security to the national
social security agency. The funds for the function have already been allocated
to the national sphere of government and therefore do not form part of the
provincial equitable share for the 2006/07 financial year.
Amidst attending to the finalising of the transfer of the functions, the
highlight in this programme was the implementation of Operation Phothula as
part of the change management strategy for improved service delivery. Launched
in July 2005, 50 000 people have been seen during these open days and 36 418
cases finalised.
However, it is of concern that despite these measures being implemented by
my Department the trend of litigating does not seem to have stopped. My
Department terminated the contract with the State Attorney in May 2005 and
employed private attorneys to assist in addressing this onslaught. From the
time of appointment these attorneys have attended to twenty five thousand one
hundred and fifteen cases lodged in the Durban High Court and 6 320 in the
Pietermaritzburg High Court. While these numbers are of extreme concern an
achievement over the past year is that 93 cases in the Durban High Court were
dismissed, while the Department has also had costs orders made against some of
the litigating attorneys. In addition, two attorneys have been reported to the
law society for unethical practices and criminal charges have been laid against
one attorney.
Mr Speaker, in addressing the backlog a total of 224 758 applications has
been finalised. In ensuring that the processing of applications is managed to
prevent the reoccurrence of a backlog, a pilot project was initiated in four
district offices in March 2006 where the complete process for a grant
application will be undertaken at the local service office.
With regard to the management of the temporary disability grants 85 percent
of the total of 125 905 were attended to resulting in the suspension of 59 198
grants. This generates a saving of approximately R43,8 million per month.
During the 2005/06 financial year a total of 211 appeals board sittings were
held, during which 18 565 appeals were attended to. Of these 7 510 (40,45
percent) were approved, while 10 592 were dismissed. A total of 463 were
referred for additional information. The average number of appellants seen at
each appeal board sitting was 88.
Mr Speaker, it is known that social security forms a primary source of
poverty alleviation to the poorest of the poor. Over the past year our
statistics reveal that the number of grants in payment represents a total
increase of 8,8 percent overall and a 23,65 percent increase for children.
3.3 Programme three: Welfare services
My concern has been the continued crisis around the increasing number of
challenges faced by our vulnerable groups especially in rural areas of the
province. In particular, children needing alternative care appear to be
increasing steadily and hence necessitating that we constantly review our
services in this area. In the last year we paid particular attention to the
conducting of quality assurance assessments at residential facilities, put in
place systems and processes to manage the foster care backlog, established one
134 early childhood development centres mainly in the rural areas of the
province, increased subsidy tariffs to these facilities and appointed a service
provider to develop programmes for street children at shelters.
In addressing crime particularly that initiated by children and youth we
have begun the process of establishing secure care facilities around the
province. Valley View Place of Safety has undergone renovations and is now
ready to admit awaiting trial boys. This process has been enhanced with the
further process of establishing four secure care centres through Public Private
Partnerships (PPP). This process is facilitated by both provincial and National
Treasuries. It is expected that as this is a pilot project for the country, we
will be setting benchmarks to develop this into a best practice model to be
replicated nation wide.
The 17 Reception, Assessment and Referral Centres throughout the province
have prevented 800 children from entering into the criminal justice system.
Coupled with this is the home based care supervision project which was piloted
resulting in 144 children who would otherwise be detained in prison being
placed under supervision. We have also increased our staff compliment by 39
probation and assistant probation officers to deal with probation services.
Whilst remaining focused on the care of children we have now reopened South
African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) and
outsourced Khanyani Treatment Centre to SANCA. This is a much needed in patient
treatment centre for children with substance abuse problems in Newcastle.
Older persons continue to play a vital role as caregivers to children in
distress. In adding some measure of comfort and promoting socialisation in the
community, we have initiated 53 new luncheon clubs in the province.
I am sure that the increasing abuse of women and children shocks us all. We
need to pull out all stops to ensure that this is brought to a halt and empower
women in these circumstances. To this end my Department has increased its
support for abused women in the province by funding six new shelters.
The mitigation of the impact of HIV and AIDS is a provincial priority,
calling for us to work together in its reduction. The implementation of
community care centres through the National Integrated Plan for Children and
Youth (NIPCY) infected and affected by HIV and AIDS has thus far assisted over
15 000 beneficiaries. The significant impact of these community care centres
has been primarily the strengthening of the affected family unit, by ensuring
that children are kept within their communities and supported in their
education and their health needs are met.
This service continues to be strengthened on an annual basis with the
intention that we should have at least one centre in each local municipality.
We currently support 53 community care centres and have also introduced the
Isibindi Model to strengthen these facilities. This model assists children
affected by HIV and AIDS. Beyond the achievements already mentioned, the
Thandukuphilia Community Care Centre at Nseleni was fortunate to be part of the
anniversary road show for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) focusing
on home community based care. In extending accolades to the untiring efforts of
the volunteers at this facility the Minister of Public Works, Ms Stella Sigcau,
has pledged to replicate the practices of this facility throughout the
country.
3.4 Programme four: Development and support services
Mr Speaker, as provincial departments we all have the responsibility of
reducing the plight of our poorest of the poor through sustainable initiatives
that will enable their transition from the second economy to the first economy.
With the noble pronouncements made by the Department of Economic Development we
embarked on the redesign of programmes targeting the poor. We have developed a
community development strategy, setting for the Department, a niche from which
we will operate in alignment with the pronouncements. The strategy spells out
core functions of community mobilisation, participation, capacity enhancement,
facilitation.
Our progress in the implementation of the strategy has been a number of
achievements some of which I will reflect on.
In the area of youth development we have mobilised 2 392 youth in 13 areas
of the province. Of these we have already commenced with skilling 350 youth in
a variety of life and technical skills. I am pleased to report that, although
to many these numbers may appear minimum, 20 youth have already secured either
permanent or casual employment. In particular a total of 10 have been employed
in the construction and catering industry and two have secured learnerships
through the Department of Local Governmentâs Community Development Worker
Programme at Nkandla. Other spin offs from this process include the formation
of a youth co-operative in the Nkandla area which has been registered on the
list of service providers for the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism in
preparation for the 2010 World Cup.
The linking of youth to learnerships offered in terms of the EPWP. In this
year we were able to as the lead Department for the social sector a strategic
partnership with Umsobomvu Youth Fund, the European Union (EU), Department of
Labour and the health and welfare Services Sector Education and Training
Authority (SETA) a sum of 55 million rand to draw in 605 youth into
learnerships for Home Community Based Care (HCBC).
Mr Speaker, in as much as we are criticised for having commenced with a
number of piggeries, poultry farms and vegetable gardens we have found that
when mobilising the poorest of the poor, it is difficult to engage them in
development without ensuring that they have food in their stomachs. Through our
initiatives in the establishment of sustenance projects we have been able to
develop 14 of the 47 departmental projects into registered co-operatives in the
province. As part of the 79 national funded poverty projects, we have
undertaken a verification exercise and begun to implement an exit strategy. The
strategy is executed in partnership with stakeholders like the Department of
Trade and Industry, provincial departments of agriculture and economic
development and the National Development Agency (NDA). Thus far 15 of the 79
projects have commenced their exit to other long-term sustainability
opportunities.
As a Department we were not able to roll out in terms of the National Food
Emergency Programme (NFEP) with the provision of food parcels, due to a ruling
of the Pietermaritzburg High Court against the national Department of Social
Development. The matter is currently at the Appeals Court in Bloemfontein.
We have nonetheless provided funds for the provision of cooked meals to 24
soup kitchens or community care centres, to ensure that the infirm have food on
a daily basis.
In meeting the provisions of the Conditional Grant (CG) for the Integrated
Social Development Services Grant (ISDSG), the Department has been able to
maximise on its services through the initiation of several welfare services
programmes in 40 communities with particular focus on the prevention of social
crime, older persons, substance abuse and domestic violence, programmes for
street children, awareness programmes for children with special needs and for
people with disabilities. We were also able to extend our interventions in the
poverty alleviation projects by funding a further 18 projects.
Mr Speaker, the EPWP is also a priority in terms of the Presidentâs State of
the Nation address. In compliance, my Department has been spearheading the
social cluster departments in the development of an implementation plan for the
sector. The plan sets out an integrated plan for the reduction of unemployment
and providing livelihoods for the poor, women, youth and people with
disabilities in the two pilot areas of Home Community Based Care (HCBC) and
Early Childhood Development (ECD).
3.5 Programme five: Population development and demographic trends
The Department continues to rely on empirical research analysis not only to
engage in new programmes but also to undertake continuous assessments and
review of the impact of our current programmes.
In the last year we have replicated impact assessments at six community care
centres. In conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund Activity
(UNPFA) a study on gender based violence has commenced as well as rapid
appraisals on the current status of activities at community care centres. Mr
Speaker, you will no doubt agree with me that these studies form the basis for
us to render an informed service.
This programme continues to market its services not only to sister
departments but also to the community at large. In July 2005, we commemorated
World Population Day which was attended by more than 5 000 people.
4. Priorities for 2006/07
Mr Speaker, although I have alluded to the fact that the social security
function is now a national responsibility I would like to inform the honourable
members that at least initially in the 2006/07 financial year, my Department
will remain responsible for the function in terms of an agency agreement
entered into on 27 March 2006. In terms of this agreement my Department will
act as an agent for the SASSA, while work continues on the complete transfer of
the function. Initiatives which were started in the 2005/2006 financial year to
improve service delivery will continue. The primary project for the new
financial year will be the roll out of the âone stopâ service where applicants
for grants have all the processes from application to approval completed on the
same day. This project was initiated during March 2006 and is already starting
to produce very positive results. Since inception until 29 March 2006, with the
project in place at four district offices, a total of 1 872 applications have
been taken and processed to finality. A plan for the progressive implementation
of this process will be developed and implemented over the course of the year,
in line with the provision of additional resources.
Mr Speaker, the resultant move of the social security function to SASSA has
inevitable resulted in the reformatting of the budget allocation by National
Treasury to three programmes in the Department, namely administration, welfare
services and development and research. The latter is the result of the merger
of the former development and support services and population and demographic
trends programmes.
In presenting the Departmentâs priorities for the forthcoming year we have
refocused our services to operate in line with the District Municipality
co-ordination model and work according to four district municipality clusters.
In essence, Mr Speaker, we will finally move away from the Magisterial District
co-ordination model thus enabling productive engagement with all stakeholders
in this approach.
4.1 Programme one: Administration
In meeting our commitment to strengthening administration within the
Department, we have identified the following priorities for implementation:
* finalise the appointment of the Head of the Department
* finalise the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer
* finalise the relocation of all Head Office staff to Pietermaritzburg
* implement a management information system
* phase in the revised organisational structure within available funds
* develop a service delivery model for administration. This will be undertaken
in conjunction with the national Department of Public Service
Administration
* finalise the general retention strategy for all staff
* develop a communication strategy
* implement supply chain management
* aggressively market the Department in terms of its revised focus
* develop strategies, policies and guidelines aligned to relevant mandates
including the finalisation and implementation of the KwaZulu-Natal Welfare Bill
and the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Bill
* consolidate all existing toll free numbers within the Department into one
comprehensive, effective call centre.
As a Department, we acknowledge that the revised focus and modus operandi
will not be without its own challenges. We have already identified that the
current budget will not accommodate the immediate phasing in of the proposed
district co-ordination model. Representations will be made to Provincial
Treasury for an increase in the Departmentâs budgetary allocation.
4.2 Programme two: Social welfare services
Being the main core function of the Department, we will enhance services to
all vulnerable groups with the expansion of services especially in under
resourced areas. This will include the establishment of community facilities
for children and older person. We also intend to make headway on the current
Public Private Partnership (PPP) in respect of secure care centres and
establish one in each of our four district clusters.
In ensuring maximum utilisation of premises owned by the State, the
Department intends to:
* Undertake renovations at the Newcastle School of Industries to provide a
comprehensive service to children with behaviour difficulties, including school
of industries, a reform school, secure care centre and substance abuse
treatment centre. This will be done in partnership with the Department of
Education and will provide a new model in the country.
* Renovate the hostel donated by Eskom at Ingagane to provide a place of
safety for the Midlands Region.
* Implement the proposed transformation plans for KwaBadala Old Age Home at
Nkandla, Newlands Park and Madadeni Rehabilitation Centres.
Mr Speaker, we acknowledge the work undertaken by the private sector in the
delivery of welfare services to communities. We have reviewed our subsidy
scales to our partners and propose to implement an increase of between six
percent and seven percent. Crèches, luncheon clubs for the elderly and shelters
for abused women will receive a higher percentage increase.
Not withstanding that which I have already mentioned, my Department remains
committed to improving our services to all vulnerable groups. In particular we
will intensify our services to address the foster care backlog, establish a
further eight community care centres for children infected and affected by HIV
and AIDS and four drop in centres for children living on the street. Work will
also continue on the preparation for the Child Justice Bill and the Childrenâs
Bill
4.3 Programme three: Development and research
The reformatting of this programme to include research is in full support of
the Departmentâs strategic objective to undertake monitoring, evaluation and
research to ensure evidence-based decision making. We intend to:
* undertake a situational analysis of all our target groups
* conduct impact assessments of our current poverty relief programmes; the
effectiveness of the strategy to migrate services to historically under
serviced areas, community care centres and services to designated groups.
In addressing the further growth and development of our poverty alleviation
projects we will continue to implement the exit strategy for these projects and
through the increase in allocation for sustainable livelihoods, strengthen
services to new and developing organizations. Simultaneously in the development
process we will capacitate communities to enable their full participation
towards entry into the first economy. This will include the identification of
people to engage in programmes such as the EPWP.
5. Presentation of the budget for the 2006/07 financial year
Mr Speaker and honourable members, I now present to you the budget proposal
for the 2006/07 financial year.
Programme - Percentage
1. Administration
R201,550 million (23 percent)
2. Social Welfare Services
R563,933 (63 percent)
3. Development and research
R129,327 (14 percent)
Total = R894,810 million (100 percent)
The budget for the 2006/07 financial year decreases from R13,605 billion
last year to R894,81 million, a decrease of no less than 93,4 percent. This is
attributable to the shifting of the social security function from the
Department to the newly established social security agency at national
level.
Mr Speaker, I want to emphasise that my Department has received no increase
in its baseline allocation for the 2006/07 Medium Term Expenditure Framework
(MTEF). However, the Department received an increased provincial allocation of
R95,5 million through the inclusion of the Integrated Social Services
Development (ISSD) and the HIV and AIDS national conditional grants to the
provincial equitable share which will commence in April 2006.
5.1 Programme 1: Administration
The administration budget has increased from R162,9 million in the previous
financial year to R201,5 million in 2006/07, an increase of R38,6 million (23
percent). However, compared to the adjusted budget of R194,6 million in the
previous year the actual budget increase is R6 million (four percent). Mr
Speaker and honourable members, this state of affairs indicates that my
Department will have to put in abeyance plans for the maintenance of buildings
and defer the construction of essential new buildings, primarily in the under
resourced rural areas.
In my previous policy speech, I alluded to the critical shortage of
personnel in my Department. In addressing this, the Department will not only
strive to fill all vacant posts but to ensure that these posts are aligned with
the approved organisational structure. It should be noted that the phasing in
of the new organisational structure is dependent on the availability of
funds.
5.2 Programme 2: Social welfare services
The welfare services budget of R563,9 million reflects an increase of 15
percent on the previous yearâs adjusted budget of R491,5 million. In 2006/07 an
increase is reflected for transfers and subsidies due to the implementation of
a new programme structure as amended by the national Department of Social
Development. The new structure includes the sub programmes of victim
empowerment, HIV and AIDS, social relief and care and support services to
families.
5.3 Programme 3: Development and research
The budget for development and research has decreased from the adjusted
budget of R216,7 million in the previous financial year to R129,3 million in
the 2006/07 financial year a decrease of R87,4 million (40 percent). This is
due to the termination of the Food Relief Conditional Grant (FRCG) and the
relocation of the HIV and AIDS Conditional Grant which is now under programme
two. Development and research services undertaken by my Department are meant to
provide sustainable development programmes which will elevate the poorest of
the poor to a level of self-reliance.
Mr Speaker and honourable members, it is my pleasure and honour to now move
that the amount of R894 810 000 be approved for the KwaZulu-Natal
Department of Welfare and Population Development.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Social Welfare, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
11 April 2006
