It is a pleasure to debate the Social Development budget Vote. 

We are proud that South Africa has an effective Social Assistance Programme, injecting desperately needed cash into our disadvantaged communities, which has escalated in 14 years from 2.5 million to over 12.7 million and is assisting approximately 28% of our fellow citizens. 

Let me take this opportunity to agree with responsible international research, that most people would prefer to work to free them from the bondage of poverty, and that social transfers do not necessarily result in promoting a dependency culture as often stated by its critics. 

People's self-worth is much greater when able to pursue a career path however humble, and to take care of their responsibilities towards family and communities.  This Party has always promoted self-help and applauded efforts to better the lives of the individual and the communities, whilst supporting the current need, resulting directly from our recent past and current global uncertainties, for social transfers. 

We have already indicated in the debate of the Social Assistance Bill that we are pleased that steps have finally been taken to fulfil our constitutional duty of equalising the pensionable age for all South African Citizens, and we thank the Minister for his commitment to dealing with the issue of the means test and await his proposals with interest. 

The Minister will recall that we were very supportive of the report of the Committee of Enquiry into a "Comprehensive System of Social Security for South Africa" published and debated in 2002, and it is assuring that the matter of contributory Social Insurance Systems is under consideration, and the assurance given by the Minister that the proposed National Security Fund does not pose a threat to existing retirement funds. It is good to deal with wrong perceptions and speculation in this pre-emptive manner. 

Now I would like to deal with a matter of great concern to me and I am sure, everyone in this House, by speaking about the lack of documentation of many entitled to social grants.  We understand, of course, that this is a cross responsibility issue between the Departments of Social Development and Home Affairs.  There are a number of us from different Parties who serve on both Portfolio Committees and as such, have not been able to figure out what needs to happen to ensure delivery of grants to all those entitled to them.

Surely there must be a way of ensuring that all South Africans and especially children have access to the required documentation.  We need to find an answer to this. 

In the matter of access to grants, let me refer to a recent research document and I quote: "In our region of the Eastern Cape, only about 55 out of 300 eligible children receive the Child Support Grant.  The reason for this is that most people in our community - the poorest district in South Africa according to Stats SA 2 - can't afford the R100 taxi fare to get to Home Affairs in Mthatha.  This trip has to be done a number of times to get each DC, BC, !D etc".  So what we are dealing with here is that the Social Development has lived up to Section 27 (1) of our Constitution.  However, Social Development is frequently unable to deliver to our most vulnerable citizens because another Department is failing to document our citizens and our children in particular. 

We believe a task force, involving NGOs working in these areas, is required to SOLVE this ongoing problem.

Our children are our future but, despite child-friendly legislation, we are still recording exceptionally high levels of child poverty, which correlates with poor health outcomes and reduced access to education. 

We also note that clients of SASSA are still experiencing problems and I list a report from one area :  Problems listed are: 

1.       Insufficient money for payouts, necessitating service delays as more money is procured. 

2.       Long queues, with old people waiting without shelter, chairs and basic sanitation, i.e. portable toilets.

We are asked: 

1.       Where are complaints to be lodged?

2.       What are the minimum requirements for a paypoint? 

3.       What is the maximum number of clients per paypoint? 

4.       How many SASSA staff per paypoint? 

5.       Maximum time allowed to complete servicing clients per paypoint? 

With this information on hand, MPs are able to monitor pay points in their constituencies and ensure a reasonably pleasant environment for our clients. 

Much progress has been achieved under the leadership of this Minister and we thank him, the Chairman of the Portfolio Committee and the Department for all efforts to ensure a better life for the most vulnerable people in South African society - the aged, the children and the physically challenged. 

I thank you. 

The IFP supports the budget.  
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Ms Inka Mars MP 
083 303 6037