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Department of Social Development
Strengthening Families and Expanding Social Grants
At the heart of the work the Department of Social Development (DSD) will undertake this financial year is to strengthen vulnerable families and expand social assistance programs to millions of South Africans. Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe presented her department’s priorities during a budget vote speech, focusing on reigniting the role of families in society, expanding social grants, and navigating a constrained fiscal environment.
Reigniting The Role of Families
Minister Tolashe emphasised the critical role of families as the foundation of a resilient society and reiterated the government’s commitment to “strengthening vulnerable families by providing access to a range of essential support services that build resilience and self-reliance within families.”
This approach aligns with the Revised White Paper on Families, which promotes parenting programs, early intervention initiatives, and cash transfers as essential support mechanisms for families in need.
The DSD’s total budget for the 2024/25 financial year stands at R275 billion, of which a staggering R266 billion will be allocated to the payment of 28 million social grants. This includes the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which supports nine million eligible beneficiaries. The SRD grant has been extended until 2025, giving the department the necessary time to finalise its long-term plans for a basic income grant.
Minister Tolashe revealed that the draft policy on basic income support will be tabled in Cabinet this financial year, which forms part of the department’s ongoing commitment to addressing poverty and inequality. Social grants are a crucial lifeline for nearly half of South Africans. Over 13 million children benefit from the Child Support Grant, while more than 4 million adults receive the Old Age Grant. These programs have made a substantial impact on poverty reduction.
Minister Tolashe said: “Our investment in the social assistance programme has lifted millions of our people out of poverty.” However, the administration of these grants has not been without its challenges. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), which manages the disbursement of grants, has faced persistent issues with late payments, inefficient services, and a lack of social workers.
To address these problems, Minister Tolashe announced that Sassa is undergoing a significant modernisation and digitisation process. This includes the rollout of a queue management system in 66 Sassa offices, with plans to extend it to an additional 45 offices in the current financial year.
Additionally, Sassa is moving towards cashless transactions, gradually phasing out cash pay points in favour of bank accounts for beneficiaries. “This shift away from high-risk payment instruments like cash aims to enhance financial inclusion for social grant beneficiaries within the National Payment System,” the minister said.
Creating A Society That Supports Families
Several other issues affect the stability of South African families. Including Gender-based violence (GBV), Minister Talashe said. The Minister said DSD is committed to expanding efforts to address this crisis
Minister Tolashe announced plans to increase the number of shelters and Khuseleka OneStop Centres for survivors of GBV. These centres provide essential psychosocial support services to victims. The department is also strengthening the operations of the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. “Our families are greatly affected by gender-based violence and femicide, which leads to fractured relationships and lasting trauma,” Minister Tolashe stated, underscoring the importance of family-centered interventions in addressing these societal issues.
The department is taking a leading role in implementing the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, focusing on response, care, support, and healing. Among the other interventions DSD will be implementing is the increased support of non-profit organisations (NPOs), which play a vital role in delivering services to vulnerable communities.
These organisations have faced significant funding cuts, with many NPOs forced to close or drastically reduce their services. The department has allocated R214 million to the National Development Agency (NDA) for the 2024/25 financial year, with a directive to expedite the implementation of its turnaround strategy to mobilise more resources for NPOs. The Department of Social Development's 2024/25 budget reflects the government's continued committment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society despite the challenging fiscal environment. With a focus on strengthening families, expanding social grants, and addressing systemic issues, the department aims to build a more inclusive and resilient society. While challenges such as budget constraints. NPO funding cuts, and natural disasters persist, the DSD's efforts to modernise its services and implement key policy reforms signal a determination to uplift those in need.
