During this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about South Africa’s ongoing fight against poverty and the role of social grants in supporting millions of citizens.

Reflecting on the government’s efforts over the past three decades, he emphasized that more than 20 million South Africans rely on social grants for survival.

Government’s Commitment to Social Welfare

Ramaphosa made it clear that the government’s goal is to build a nation where no one has to go hungry.

“Today, we allocate around 60% of our national budget to the social wage, which covers health, education, social protection, community development, and public employment programs,” he explained.

He highlighted key achievements, such as over 10.5 million learners attending no-fee public schools and nearly 1 million students from disadvantaged backgrounds receiving funding for higher education last year.

The Fight Against Poverty Continues

Despite these efforts, Ramaphosa acknowledged that there is still much work to be done to eradicate poverty completely.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that women no longer struggle to provide for their families.

“Through these initiatives, we are easing the harsh effects of poverty and helping South Africans break free from generational struggles.

To build on the progress made since 1994, we will soon adopt the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children, focusing on ten key priorities, including poverty reduction, child protection, and tackling malnutrition,” he said.

A More Integrated Support System

To improve access to government support programs, Ramaphosa announced plans to create a more integrated system that will simplify the process for those in need.

“We are strengthening existing programs, from job search assistance to public employment, ensuring that they work together to create clear pathways out of poverty.

Instead of forcing citizens to visit multiple government agencies, we aim to provide a single point of access where all necessary support can be obtained,” he explained.

What’s Next for the SASSA SRD Grant?

Focusing on social grants, Ramaphosa noted that over 28 million vulnerable and unemployed South Africans benefit from SASSA grants.

He specifically addressed the future of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.

“The SRD grant remains a crucial tool in alleviating extreme poverty.

Moving forward, we will use this grant as the foundation for a more sustainable form of income support for the unemployed,” he announced.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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