Social Development launches World Bank’s report on: “Review of Social Assistance Programs and Systems in South Africa”

Launch of review of social assistance programs and systems in South Africa

The Department of Social Development and the World Bank will launch the World Bank’s report on the: “Review of Social Assistance Programs and Systems in South Africa”.

This will kick-start as one of three webinars with stakeholders, partners and media on critical topics on social assistance in October as part of the Social Development month.

In an environment of high unemployment, persistent poverty, weak economic growth which have been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. The report underscores the critical role in poverty mitigation played by the grant system and at the same time suggests policy considerations to move South Africa’s system of social assistance.

The report, Social Assistance Programs and Systems Review: South Africa, takes stock of the performance of South Africa’s social assistance programs and finds that overall, the system of programs is effective, well-targeted, covers a large number of the poor, and provides sizeable benefits to households.

It also finds that the social assistance system effectively reduces poverty and inequality rates. In addition, the cash payments have positive and important effects on a wide variety of outcomes – including nutrition and food security, educational attainment, health, labour supply and livelihoods.

Source: Government of South Africa