Latest News & Developments
social security
Grant card swap debacle
The government has backed off and delayed the switch over of Sassa cards
Incorrect information released regarding Flash and Postbank partnership
Flash has identified an inadvertent error in a media statement recently released.
Empty promises no solution to fixing structural issues
OPINION: South Africa is a country of contradictions. We have more than 28 million people who are on various forms of social welfare grants in this country where we have less than eight million taxpayers who actually pay personal taxes, writes Prof. Bonke Dumisa.
Public Protector warns on SA becoming a welfare state
The Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, said there were many people who depend on social grants.
A human right, political tool or a vehicle for self-enrichment?
OPINION: Corruption has become one of the nemeses for the failure of thesocial grant system in the country, writes Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu.
Mashatile agrees ‘R350 grant’ is not in line with inflation, set for review
Deputy President Paul Mashatile said they have listened to concerns that the Social Relief of Distress was not in line with inflation.
Social Development returned R4. 3 billion of SRD grant to National Treasury
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said the R4. 3 billion was returned to the National Treasury because of the lower than expected uptake.
Mashatile says they have set up a task team on Sassa grant payments to prevent glitches
Deputy President Paul Mashatile said Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu and her counterpart at Communications, Mondli Gungubele, were now regularly reporting to President Cyril Ramaphosa on the grant payments.
Lindiwe Zulu confirms Basic Income Grant is on the cards
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said the policy on the basic income grant will be released for public comment before the end of March next year.
Zulu warns against corruption at Sassa as 40 officials are implicated in multi-million rand graft
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said 40 officials at Sassa have been implicated in corruption amounting to R50 million.
Grant distribution failures foil ‘financial inclusion’
OPINION: The “glitch” that affected tens of thousands of grant beneficiaries was a tragedy, write Milford Bateman, Patrick Bond, Lena Lavinas and Erin Torkelson.
Department of Social Development incurs R15 billion in unauthorised expenditure
The National Treasury said R15 billion in unauthorised expenditure was due to government being forced to pay grants early when Covid-19 hit the country.
Gearing up for 2024 election battles: Let’s Review Social Security Policies.
OPINION: A national social security system is required in every modern state. How that system is constructed will both reflect the current soul of a society, and determine the fullness of its possible future, writes Isobel Frye
Ramaphosa: Social grants a stimulus for the economy
As Human Rights Month draws to a close, President Ramaphosa used his weekly newsletter to focus on the right to social security, which is explicit in the Bill of Rights.
The new ARA Imphepho is the original imphepho soap
The soaps benefit from the medicinal properties of the Imphepho plant, with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Concern as over 716 000 tertiary graduates file for R350 social grant in January
Sassa received more than 13. 5 million applications for the social relief of distress grant as of the end of January, with a worrying number of graduates filing applications.
Sassa on track to pay January social grants; warns of scammers
Sassa on track with arrangements to disburse the January 2023 social grants payments.
Top tips from Discovery Vitality on how to be sun-smart these holidays
Anyone can get skin cancer, including people with dark skins – so sun safety is vital for everyone.
Report finds R350 SRD grant can be adopted permanently
Despite some of the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant beneficiaries still waiting for their money since April and other challenges that marred the disbursement, the country is shifting closer to the realisation of the Basic Income Grant
Roundup: Foreign officials, experts wish 20th CPC National Congress success during celebrations of China's National Day
Chinese embassies and missions have held events to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
‘We are the custodians of the change-makers of tomorrow’ says African ECD chief
The Unlimited Child is a network of 3 200 early childhood development (ECD) centres located throughout South Africa, also having launched in Lesotho and Zimbabwe in 2021.
Sassa to pay R350 grant, but not at the Post Office
Sassa says the payment will not be made together, but will be done month by month. More than one payment may be done in a month, but no one will received double payments in the amount.
Home Affairs launches branch appointment booking system for IDs and passports
The system will allow clients to make an electronic booking for selected services at the Department of Home Affairs.