Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya on behalf of the Social
Cluster
8 May 2007
Introduction
The social cluster has continued to make significant progress in the
implementation of various programmes within its priority areas. While progress
has been made on a number of fronts, for the purpose of this briefing I will
focus on the following areas:
- comprehensive social security
- comprehensive healthcare
- housing and human settlement
- food security and nutrition
- a few Second Economy intervention
- education and basic services.
Comprehensive social security
A Second Discussion Document on Social Security and Retirement Reform was
published in February this year and this will be followed by separate papers on
minimum benefits, governance issues, related tax reforms and institutional
aspects. Further interdepartmental and stakeholder consultation will be
conducted during 2007.
The Department of Health is redrafting the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill
which incorporates the introduction of the Risk Equalisation Fund taking into
consideration inputs received during comment period.
A survey was done into the attitudes of South Africans regarding income
support including the issue of dependency. In addition, a tender has been
advertised for the third phase of the study into perverse incentives. This will
be a qualitative evaluation of possible perverse incentives in the social grant
system.
The Social Cluster has established an inter-departmental task team to
develop measures to reach vulnerable children over the age of 14 years while
continuing to consolidate current gains in income support and in other policy
goals. As part of the task, the task team is reviewing the outcome of a study
into income support for children between the ages of 14 to 18.
Drafting of the framework for a comprehensive and integrated Anti Poverty
Strategy is underway. Work is underway to develop a social report which will
provide a spatial analysis of areas with highly deprived households using
administrative sources, census and other survey data and the report will be
finalised in January 2008.
Comprehensive healthcare
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign, the departments of Health,
Education and SAPS are running a programme for reduction of substance abuse in
schools which also forms part of the Life Orientation content of Outcomes Based
Education.
The Medical Research Council is piloting a Tobacco Control Programme for
schools in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as part of the school curriculum.
There are currently more than 860 schools that are tobacco-free environments
since the launch of healthy environments for children initiative in 2003. In
addition, the third Global Youth Tobacco Survey will be conducted this year to
assess the actual reduction in smoking prevalence amongst the youth.
The newly constituted and restructured South African National AIDS Council
(SANAC) has been launched and it brings together all sectors into a renewed
partnership against HIV and AIDS. The new National Strategic Plan for HIV and
AIDS for 2007-2011 has been adopted by Cabinet and SANAC as a framework for our
response to this major challenge.
Significant progress is being made in our comprehensive response to HIV and
AIDS:
- 425 million condoms were distributed during the 2006/07 financial year
- by the end of March 2007, there were 4 189 Voluntary Counselling T
sites
- by the end of February 2007, 493 000 patients received nutritional
support
- by the end December 2006, 14 269 of healthcare workers were trained on
comprehensive HIV and AIDS care, management and treatment
- 320 facilities were accredited by end March 2007 (nine of these are
Correctional Services and seven are South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) centres).
- 239 244 people had been initiated on antiretroviral therapy in the public
health sector by the end of December 2006
Efforts are being made to combat tuberculosis (TB), particularly the
response to Drug Resistant TB. Infection control measures have been
strengthened in the multi-drug resistant TB (MDRâTB) hospitals in a bid to
ensure the effective isolation of both MDR and extreme drug resistant TB
(XDR-TB). The appropriate drugs for treating drug resistant TB are available. A
surveillance system for XDRâTB has been developed. Healthcare workers (both
nurses and doctors) are being trained on the management of drug resistant TB.
Research is being conducted to determine the extent of XDRâTB.
As part of the Department of Health's collaboration with various partners in
addressing TB, the World Health Organisation has provided South Africa with a
technical advisor to strengthen the country's response to drug resistant
TB.
Housing and human settlement
An inclusive Housing Programme has been developed following consultations
with stakeholders. A programme to support municipal planning through the Human
Settlement chapters in Integrated Development Planning (IDPs) has been
approved.
There is an increase in the appreciation for the sustainable human
settlements approach in the country. Voluntary initiatives in the private
sector which seek to deliver the integration of race, income groups and
multiple land use are underway. A draft paper on arts and culture interventions
in Human Settlements has been developed.
Food security and nutrition
More than 6 million learners in public primary schools have access to
quality meals. Six tousand food production projects and 7 429 vegetable gardens
are in place in nodal schools.
A total of 66 000 beneficiaries have been reached through the agricultural
production packages aimed at improving food security amongst the vulnerable
communities in all nine provinces. More than 5 000 Small and Micro
Agro-Enterprises have been assisted through financial assistance amounting to
R41 million.
Second Economy interventions
As part of enhancing the Community Health Worker Programme, a process is
underway to accredit 300 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to train
Ancillary Health workers at NQF level 1 by March 2008 and upgrade the current
26 accredited service providers to train Community Care Givers at level 3.
The findings of the baseline report on Expanded Public Works Programme
(EPWP) related work opportunities in the social sector put the potential for
work creation at approximately 438 000. A provisional audit report is currently
under circulation amongst sector departments and relevant stakeholders. A final
report will be discussed by the Social Cluster in June 2007.
Education
A total of 15 500 poorly resourced schools have been identified through the
Quality Improvement and Development Programme (QIDS-UP) for adequate resourcing
to improve learning especially in literacy and numeracy.
By the end of the 2006 school year, 5 233 of these schools had received 100
reading books per school to improve learner reading competencies in the
foundation phase (Grades R to 3). Provincial allocations have been increased
for the 2007/08 financial year.
Basic services
Seventy-six percent of the 597 schools targeted for the provision of water
during the 2006/07 financial year have been provided for, and more than 50% of
2 409 schools targeted for the provision of sanitation have already been
provided for.
On eradication of the bucket system, the number of houses using buckets had
been reduced by half from 252 254 in February 2005 to 124 593 in February 2007.
The programme has been allocated R1 billion for 2007/08. An additional R600
million is required to complete the programme and the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry is in discussion with National Treasury and affected
municipalities to secure this amount.
Conclusion
The report of the Social Cluster indicates that, despite challenges,
significant progress has been made in improving the social conditions of many
people of South Africa. The cluster will continue to intensify the
implementation of all its priorities as outlined in the Government Programme of
Action.
Issued by: Department of Social Development
8 May 2007
