10 July 2025
Topic: Advancing Welfare Services and Community Development
Today, we rise to speak in strong support of Budget Vote 19 for Social Development, a testament to our unwavering commitment to building a caring and inclusive society. As we support the advancement of welfare services and community development, we must first acknowledge the exemplary leadership of our sector under the stewardship of Minister Sisisi Tolashe. Her appointment as Minister represents the profound transformation our movement has achieved from a liberation movement to a governing party that places women at the forefront of social transformation. Minister Tolashe’s leadership exemplifies how women leaders can drive meaningful change while ensuring the efficient and prudent use of our limited resources.
Honourable Chairperson,
We celebrate a significant legislative achievement with the committee’s recent passage of the Older Persons Amendment Bill. This Bill, which has now been sent to President Ramaphosa for signature, represents a crucial step forward in strengthening protection mechanisms for older persons in our country. The Amendment Bill introduces new definitions to improve interpretation, provides for monitoring and evaluation of services to older persons, and significantly allows for the removal of older persons to temporary safe care without a court order under specific conditions.
Our department has demonstrated remarkable progress in protecting our most vulnerable citizens through comprehensive awareness campaigns on elder abuse, which directly aligns with the enhanced protective framework established by the Amendment Bill. The implementation of the Older Persons Act (2006) has created a protective framework that ensures our elders live with dignity and security. This legislative foundation is further strengthened by our policy coherence across vulnerable populations, particularly linking our work with children through the ongoing Children’s Amendment Bill processes. While the Children’s Amendment Bill faces implementation challenges, our department remains committed to ensuring policy alignment that protects both children and elderly persons as part of our comprehensive approach to social protection.
The allocation of R319 million for Welfare Services Policy Development and Implementation Support enables us to monitor and strengthen services for the elderly, implement prevention programmes, and build capacity across provinces. This investment reflects the ANC’s commitment to Ubuntu, the principle that we are all interconnected and responsible for each other’s wellbeing.
Our commitment to persons with disabilities extends beyond rhetoric to concrete action. The development of costing and funding mechanisms for respite care services and the submission of the policy on social development services for people with disabilities to Cabinet demonstrates our systematic approach to inclusion. With R1.1 million disability grant beneficiaries, we will ensure that no one is left behind in our journey towards an inclusive society.
Honourable Chairperson,
The universal treatment curriculum is now being implemented in 12 public substance abuse treatment centres, ensuring standardized, evidence-based treatment across the country. This systematic approach to capacity building reflects our understanding that substance abuse is not merely a criminal justice issue, but a public health challenge requiring comprehensive intervention.
However, we must acknowledge that the Central Drug Authority faces significant constraints that limit its effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. The CDA has highlighted major challenges including inadequate funding and capacity constraints, poor coordination across government departments with a “silo mentality,” and barriers to accessing affordable, quality substance abuse treatment services. These challenges are further compounded by the CDA’s placement within a single department, which affects its authority and ability to coordinate effectively across sectors.
To address these realities, we are committed to strengthening the CDA’s capacity and enhancing its authority to respond to the complex problem of substance abuse. The need for a new, more integrated and evidence-based five-year national drug master plan requires enhanced support for the CDA, including adequate funding and the establishment of more robust inter-departmental coordination mechanisms. We recognize that without addressing these structural constraints, our efforts to combat substance abuse will continue to face significant obstacles.
Honourable Chairperson,
The implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide represents one of our most critical interventions. While we have made progress in establishing 134 dedicated GBVF desks at police stations in hotspot districts, we must present a balanced assessment of our implementation efforts.
The monitoring of psychosocial services policy implementation in 15 identified hotspot districts demonstrates our data-driven approach to combating this scourge. However, we acknowledge the implementation challenges that have emerged. The delay in establishing the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) has significantly hindered our efforts to enhance accountability and effectively address GBVF. Despite some progress in legal frameworks and service provision, challenges remain in financial reporting, multi-sectoral coordination, and the establishment of key institutions.
The allocation of R21 billion over the medium-term for GBVF interventions underscores our commitment to addressing what President Ramaphosa has termed our “second pandemic.” However, we recognize that adequate funding must be coupled with effective coordination and implementation mechanisms to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Honourable Chairperson,
The work to strengthen NPO regulation through effective implementation of the Non-profit Organisations Act (1997) demonstrates our commitment to building public trust in the sector. The target of processing 100% of qualifying applications within 2 months shows our dedication to efficient service delivery while maintaining rigorous standards. The allocation of R137.8 million over the MTEF period for NPO registration and monitoring enables us to support these vital partners in service delivery.
The coordination of centre-based feeding programmes for the poor and vulnerable demonstrates our commitment to addressing food insecurity. The establishment of the Household Food and Nutrition Security Programme, comprising a network of Food Distribution Centres, ensures that basic nutritional needs are met while supporting local food economies.
Honourable Members,
The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) continues to be a vital tool for addressing unemployment while delivering essential services. We are pleased to report significant progress with the launch of EPWP Phase 5 in April 2024, which aims to create 5 million work opportunities over the next five years ending 31 March 2029.
Recent data demonstrates the programme’s substantial impact: by the end of EPWP Phase 4 in March 2024, the programme had created over 14 million work opportunities across its four sectors. During the 2022/23 financial year, the Social Sector EPWP created 93,308 full-time equivalent jobs and 343,803 work opportunities. The programme has consistently achieved over 90% of its annual targets, with current performance showing 58.8% achievement towards 2023/24 targets by October 2023.
Phase 5 emphasizes increased youth participation, strengthened skills development, and targeted exit strategies for participants. The programme focuses on key service delivery interventions such as restoration of dignity for the indigent through vocational and Further Education Training skills development and certification. Priority sectors include waste management with recycling as a focal point, road paving, pothole patching, and maintenance of public facilities.
The programme’s success is evident in its demographics: 69% female participation, 46% youth participation, and 2% participation by persons with disabilities. According to Statistics South Africa, 70% of past EPWP participants have transitioned to longer-term self or formal employment. The average duration of work opportunities has improved to 84 days, providing meaningful earning opportunities for participants.
Honourable Chairperson,
As these programmes are implemented, we remain guided by the ANC’s fundamental commitment to a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous society. Through continued partnership with communities, civil society, and all spheres of government, we will ensure that no one is left behind in our journey towards a better life for all.
This budget is not just about spending money; it is about investing in human dignity, building social cohesion, and creating opportunities for all South Africans to participate in and benefit from our democracy. It reflects our understanding that true development is about empowering people, strengthening communities, and building a society based on the values of caring, sharing, and Ubuntu.
I therefore call on all members of this House to support this budget wholeheartedly, knowing that through our collective commitment and the efficient use of these resources, we will continue building the South Africa envisioned by our constitutional democracy – a country where everyone can live with dignity, hope, and opportunity.
Amandla!