grants beneficiaries to poverty alleviation and economic activity
18 January 2007
The Department of Social Development has released a discussion document for
public comment, on strategies aimed at Linking Grants Beneficiaries to Poverty
Alleviation and Economic Activity.
Over the past twelve years, Government has implemented several poverty
alleviation measures, with social assistance being the biggest of them all,
aimed at achieving the goal of a better life for all.
"As a result of campaigns aimed at promoting the right of access to social
assistance, the number of social grant beneficiaries has increased
significantly, in particular the child support and disability grants. While, on
the one hand, the increase in beneficiary numbers represented the success of
the awareness campaigns and proactive registration, on the other hand, this has
given rise to the challenges of the sustainability of the programme, and the
importance of giving South Africans the opportunity to enjoy the dignity of
work," said the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya.
Dr Skweyiya invites all sectors to make their comments to assist government
in its drive to get all South Africans working when they are physically and
mentally able to do so. "This is a central pillar of building social cohesion
and inclusiveness. There has been a lack of active social assistance programmes
and poverty alleviation measures to ensure that all South Africans enjoy the
dignity of work. Government is committed to ensure a better life for all, for
the employed, for beneficiaries of social grants and the destitute and
vulnerable," the Minister added.
The document will form the foundation of a discussion that should bring
together government, religious leaders, the non-governmental organisation (NGO)
sector, organised labour and business and all other stakeholders to find a
solution.
Dr Skweyiya explains: "Unlike most of Government's poverty alleviation
measures, the social assistance programme was not specifically designed with
exit strategies for beneficiaries, other than a change in their living
circumstances and income levels. There is a lack of a proactive and deliberate
strategy to link social grant beneficiaries to opportunities for economic
activity. Consequently, an intolerable proportion of able-bodied poor South
Africans, including caregivers of children receiving the child support grant,
and those persons with disabilities capable of rehabilitation - continue to
face particular barriers to entering into, remaining in and progressing in such
employment."
Dr Skweyiya adds that the macroeconomic policies over the last decade have
contributed to improved economic growth performance.
"However, the labour market has not been equally responsive to the
increasing demand for the creation of work opportunities, especially from the
social grants beneficiary population referred to above. The imperative is to
build a gateway to improve the impact of policies; to extend government support
through incentives for individuals to participate in self-development
programmes, for businesses to absorb such individuals into their labour force
and for civil society collaboration."
Dr Skweyiya noted however, that the success of the project of a gateway to
economic activity will remain a pipedream unless the economic sector introduces
measures to generate employment opportunities.
The discussion document is a first draft of a proposed a model for an active
social grants system and an implementation plan. It will require extensive work
and consultation going forward. A full version of the document is available on
the department's website, http://www.socdev.gov.za.
Executive Summary: Linking social grants beneficiaries to poverty alleviation and
economic activity
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Cell: 082 782 2575
Issued by: Department of Social Development
18 January 2007
Source: Department of Social Development (http://www.socdev.gov.za/)
