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Sharpeville massacre victims remembered
Sharpeville massacre victims remembered
President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged South Africans to continue to honour those who fought for the rights that all enjoy today and hold dear.
President Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the Human Rights Day commemoration in Sharpeville, Gauteng on Thursday, held under the theme: “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights”.
“Sixty-four years have passed since the ground on which we gather here in Sharpeville bore witness to one of the worst atrocities committed by the apartheid regime against the South African people.
“And although many decades have passed, we still remember with great sorrow and pain the 69 people who were killed and the many more who were maimed as they protested in peace against the grave injustices imposed upon them,” the President said.
Earlier, President Ramaphosa led a wreath laying ceremony at the Sharpeville memorial site in commemoration of South Africans who laid their lives in sacrifice for the struggle for the attainment of human rights and democratic South Africa.
He also met with family members of the fallen Sharpeville Massacre victims during the wreath laying ceremony.
Today’s gathering, he said, was held to trace the journey as a nation over the last 64 years, from a state of discrimination and repression to a land of democracy and freedom.
“Ours was a journey of relentless struggle. We still recall how every black South African – African, Coloured and Indian - was denied the basic human rights to which they were entitled.
“We recall how many generations of black South Africans were denied the right to life and dignity, the right to equal treatment, the right to vote and to be heard, the right to live where they want, to work in the trade of their choice, the right to education and health care, the right to the protection of the law,” he said.
The President reflected that it was a difficult and dangerous journey travelled by community activists and union organisers, by traditional leaders and religious groupings, by freedom fighters and underground operatives, by political prisoners and exiles, and by friends and supporters across the world.
He added that it was a struggle to realise the rights contained in the Bill of Rights which called for equal treatment of all people, equal access to land, direct representation and voting rights.
“Ours was a struggle to realise the vision of the Freedom Charter, adopted by the Congress of People in 1955, of a South Africa that is prosperous and free and in which all enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
“It was these principles and these ideals, these struggles and these sacrifices, that enabled the achievement of our democracy and the adoption of the Bill of Rights that is at the centre of our democratic Constitution,” he said.
And as the country celebrates this milestone, President Ramaphosa said the country will reflect on the journey taken towards the full realisation of the fundamental freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights.
“We will count the elections that we have held every five years since 1994, elections that have been peaceful, free and fair and that have reflected the will of the people.
“We will assess the institutions that make our laws, that both represent the views and regularly seek the counsel of the South Africans people. We will point to the independence of our judiciary, the vibrancy of our civil society, the activism of our trade unions and the freedom of our media.
“As we celebrate 30 years of freedom, we will reflect on the progress we have made in progressively realising the social and economic rights contained in our Constitution,” he said.
The President said the country has much to celebrate as he detailed the progress made by government throughout the years.
He highlighted that millions of South Africans have been lifted out of dire poverty, while eight out of every 10 households have proper housing.
“Nine out of every 10 homes have electricity and access to clean drinking water. South Africans are living longer. Far fewer women are dying in child birth and far fewer children are dying in infancy.
“More children from poor families are completing school, passing matric and going on to study at universities and colleges,” he said.
The President said this has been made possible because the country has focused on correcting the injustices of the past and meeting the needs of the poor and excluded.
He highlighted that working together, nearly 4 million hectares of land has been returned to people who had been dispossessed of their land and acquired over 5 million hectares of land for redistribution and to provide security of tenure for labour tenants and other farm dwellers.
Government has provided social grants for children, the elderly and people with disability, and recently introduced a special social relief of distress grant for unemployed people.
Government also provides free daily meals to millions of school children and has expanded the number of fee-free schools and has massively increased funding for students from poor and working-class families to attend universities and colleges.
“As our economy has changed, more and more people have been able to exercise the right to freely choose their trade, occupation or profession. Our economy has tripled in size since 1994.
“While unemployment still remains unacceptably high, the number of South Africans in employment has more than doubled in the last 30 years. The proportion of executive management positions held by black people increased almost five-fold between 1996 and 2016,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 03/21/2024 - 14:39
64 views
Years of protests pay off as Eastern Cape village gets new high school
The R56-million Vukile Tshwete Senior Secondary has officially opened in Keiskammahoek after eight years of struggle
Godongwana announces increase in R350 grant
Godongwana announces increase in R350 grant
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant – popularly known as the R350 grant – is expected to be raised to R370 from April this year.
This was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
“His Excellency, the President, in his State of the Nation Address, said that the [SRD grant] is going to continue, and the R350 will be improved. My colleague, the Minister of Social Development, is going to publish for comments a comprehensive social security programme and that… will define a better platform and a future for the social security net in South Africa.
“I am pleased to say that we have found consensus that in between, subject to the finalisation of the comprehensive social security [programme], we’ll increase the R350 to R370 by the 1st of April this year. That is part of the progressive realisation of the basic rights of our people,” he said.
In the Budget Speech delivered in February, Godongwana had announced that social grants across the board are set to increase over the course of 2024.
The increases to be implemented during this year are as follows:
- An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October;
- A R50 increase to the foster care grant; and
- A R20 increase to the child support grant.
“We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet. In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows,” Godongwana said at the time. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 03/14/2024 - 12:36
4346 views
Mbombela warned to fix water crisis as taps in several villages run dry
“The last time we saw a drop of water coming out of the tap was about 15 years ago,” says villager
Budget: Social grants go up but not by much
Old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants up by R90 in April and another R10 from October
Social grants to increase in 2024
Social grants to increase in 2024
Social grants are expected to increase to keep in line with inflation and increase access for those who are eligible.
This does not include the Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) also known as the R350 grant.
This was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the Budget Speech delivered in Cape Town on Wednesday.
“We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet. In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows,” he said.
The increases to be implemented during this year are as follows:
- An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October;
- A R50 increase to the foster care grant; and
- A R20 increase to the child support grant.
In the expanded Budget 2024 review, National Treasury explained that social grant expenditure – excluding the SRD grant – will increase from R217.1 billion in 2023/24 to R259.3 billion in 2026/27.
The COVID‐19 Social Relief of Distress Grant is allocated R33.6 billion in 2024/25 with provisional allocations for the 2025/26 and 2026/27.
“Work is currently underway to improve the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year. National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations.
“These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework. For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised,” the Minister said.
National Treasury expects that grant beneficiaries, excluding those receiving the COVID‐19 SRD Grant, are projected to increase from 18.8 million in 2023/24 to 19.7 million in 2026/27. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:22
232 views
President Ramaphosa hails democracy’s role in uplifting youth
President Ramaphosa hails democracy's role in uplifting youth
President Cyril Ramaphosa says individuals born after the advent of democracy embody the essence of Tintswalo, as they have gone on to record commendable achievements in their lives and careers.
The President was responding to this week’s two-day debate on his State of the Nation Address (SONA) by Members of Parliament. The SONA was delivered a week ago in Cape Town.
A number of young people, who have benefited from government over the last 30 years, were present in the National Assembly to listen to the President’s response to the debate.
READ | Tintswalo, a child of democracy
“Today I am really honoured to have a number of Tinstwalos who have come to join us. Among these young people are aeronautical engineers, pilots, civil engineers, police officers, doctors, and a naval captain. They are qualified in a number of ways, all of whom have pursued their careers with the support of government departments and entities.
In his State of the Nation Address last week, President Ramaphosa introduced South Africa to Tintswalo, a child of democracy.
He said that for millions of South Africans, Tintswalo's story resonated deeply with their own, which prompted young people to post images online of themselves in their graduation gowns or at their workplaces, saying "#IamTintswalo".
“There are countless stories of young people who were born into abject poverty, but are now engineers, doctors, teachers, managers, tourism guides and operators, and entrepreneurs, thanks to the support and opportunities provided to them under democracy.
“They have spoken not only of how democracy has improved their lives, but of their gratitude to those who fought and strived to achieve that democracy. Many have paid tribute to their parents and grandparents – and to all the generations that came before – for the struggle and sacrifice that brought down apartheid and ushered in a new era of freedom,” he said.
Responding to those who greeted Tintswalo’s story with derision, the President said that these were people who sought to diminish the achievements of democracy.
"To them, it doesn’t matter that nine out of 10 households are now living in a formal dwelling, or that a similar number has access to clean drinking water and electricity.
“To them, it doesn’t matter that more South African adults have completed matric or earned a degree, or that more learners from poor communities are achieving Bachelor passes. It doesn’t matter to these people that South Africans now have a higher life expectancy or that maternal and child health have improved dramatically.
“It doesn’t matter to them that millions of people have been lifted out of poverty through the provision of houses, land, social grants, free basic services, expanded access to health care and education and the introduction of a national minimum wage.
"All of these great achievements of human development do not matter to them, because Tintswalo doesn’t matter to them. They are prepared to dismiss all of this progress because it does not serve their narrative of a failed nation. It does not serve their political aspirations. It does not serve their narrow interests."
The President said the journey to a brighter future continues. “We have travelled far and we have achieved much, but we have much further to go. We are clear about the progress that we have made, the challenges that we face, and the actions that we must now take,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 02/16/2024 - 10:03
253 views
Long queues at SASSA in Khayelitsha
Earlier this week residents picketed, demanding that a new office be built and for staff to be trained
Taking stock of the sixth administration
Taking stock of the sixth administration
Thursday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the last one to be made by the sixth administration.
The President - in his capacity as Head of State and government - will deliver the annual SONA at 7pm, before a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Just as individuals usually make a list of their goals at the start of each year, and the steps they need to take to attain them, the SONA similarly sets out government’s key policy objectives as well as deliverables for the year ahead.
The President is expected to reflect on the gains made and the areas that still need attention since the last SONA.
However, having been inaugurated as President on 25 May 2019, President Ramaphosa is also likely to look back on the term of his administration.
According to the Presidency, this administration “took office with a mandate to grow the economy, create employment and reduce poverty.” It was also tasked with putting an end to corruption as well as “restoring the integrity and capability of public institutions.”
Government has over the years made progress in improving the lives of those within the borders of South Africa.
Advancements have been made in the key priorities of growing the economy and job creation, building better lives, making communities safer and fighting crime.
Over the years, irrespective of the administration at the helm, an inclusive economy in which all South Africans can partake in, has and continues to be a top issue for government.
Fixing the economy and load shedding
In order to grow the economy, reliable energy supply is essential and energy security is cited in the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). In July 2022, government launched the Energy Action Plan (EAP). The EAP is a set of steps to be taken to address load shedding.
Government has amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to remove the licencing requirement for generation projects to accelerate private investment.
By September 2023, more than 100 projects were at various stages of development, representing over 10 000 megawatts of new generation capacity and over R200 billion in private sector investment.
Other steps taken to reform the electricity sector include the tabling of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill in Parliament.
In addition, progress continues to be made towards the unbundling of Eskom, with the newly established National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) obtaining its operating, trading, and import and export licences from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in September 2023, allowing the company to operate independently from the power utility. This as government works to separate Eskom into the Generation, Distribution and Transmission entities. Last month, Eskom announced the appointment of the National Transmission Company of South Africa board.
This is one of the most important pillars of Eskom’s legal separation which will “create a level playing field to enable competition in electricity generation, as a key step towards energy security,” noted the 'Leave No One Behind 2024 – A Five-Year Review', document released by the Presidency earlier this week.
The sixth administration also oversaw the appointment of Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, in March last year as part of efforts to address power cuts and to expedite government’s work to ensure the full implementation of the EAP.
At a recent media briefing on the implementation of the plan, Ramokgopa said that work continues to address partial load losses – that is, when Eskom’s generating units do not produce the full capacity, they were intended to.
In November 2023, South Africa received the first consignment of 450 gasoline generators donated by the People’s Republic of China. The donation formed part of the Technical Assistance Programme that was entered into in August 2023 during China’s Head of State Visit to South Africa.
Jobs and investment
The ERRP was government’s response to the severe health, social and economic effects of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced in 2020, the plan was founded on engagements among social partners, including government, labour, business and community-based organisations.
October 2023 marked three years since government embarked on the plan, which outlined the actions to rebuild the economy and create jobs in the wake of the pandemic.
The government has put in place the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). Through the initiative announced in 2020, at least 135 000 earning opportunities were secured by young people.
On Tuesday, the President held a presidential youth engagement in Cape Town reflecting on the three years since the initiation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and PYEI.
According to the Presidency, the PES and PYEI programmes have “collectively generated over 1.8 million job opportunities and provided livelihood support, predominantly benefiting young individuals”.
The sixth administration also oversaw the successful raising of the R1.2 trillion worth of investments over five years that President Ramaphosa announced in 2018.
Held annually over the past five years, the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) surpassed the initial R1.2 trillion target to reach R1.51 trillion in investment pledges. To date, there are concrete results of how the pledges made at the conference are changing lives and creating employment.
The review document notes that of the commitments made, over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.
Having made pledges continually at the SAIC, Procter &Gamble in November 2023 launched a state-of-the-art production line of Pampers Premium Care which the President attended in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni.
Another company which pledged R135 million at last year’s SAIC is also making good on its commitment.
In October 2023, energy company, Ener-G-Africa, launched an energy-efficient cook stove manufacturing line in Paarl, and expanded its solar panel production line from 15MW to 500MW capacity.
The company pledged R135 million in the production of small solar PV panels and solar cooking appliances at their women-led production facility in Cape Town.
AfCFTA
President Ramaphosa also oversaw the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as Chairperson of the African Union, which is currently the largest free trade area in the world. The AfCFTA which entered into force in May 2019, is expected to boost trade and economic growth on the continent.
Trading under the AfCFTA regime commenced January 2021 and last month South Africa practically realised the AfCFTA agreement. This as the President officiated the launch of the first export shipment of goods produced by South African companies destined for other African countries from KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban port.
Better lives and education
On building better lives, the current administration introduced the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for the first time in the country’s history, guaranteeing a minimum floor below which no worker may be paid with the coming into effect of the minimum wage on 1 January 2019.
The President had announced its coming into effect in December 2018.
Back in 2019, the minimum wage was set at R20 an hour and has increased over the years. Currently standing at R25,42 the minimum wage will increase to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked with effect from 1 March 2024.
Click here for more on the “National minimum wage increases”.
To ensure healthcare for all, Parliament passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill last year after it was introduced in 2019. The Bill aims to provide free health care at the point of care for all South Africans. In preparation for the NHI, Health Patient Registration Systems have been installed in over 3 200 facilities.
Meanwhile, social grants for people most affected by COVID-19 were expanded, including the Special Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, which reached around 11 million unemployed people.
On the education front, no-fee schools which government introduced in 2007 have continued to ensure that children get access to schooling. To date, the number of learners that are not required to pay school fees increased from 71% to 75% in 2021.
In addition, the latest matric pass rate, at 82.9%, is the highest ever, up from 78% ten years ago. Learners from no-fee paying schools accounted for more than 65% of the total bachelor passes obtained. The percentage of learners who completed 12 years of education rose from 45% in 2008 to 62% in 2022.
Safer communities
The sixth administration has increased the number of police officers including the recruitment of 20 000 police trainees and an additional 4 000 public order policing members in 2022 and 2023.
In addition, 20 specialised South African Police Service Economic Infrastructure Task Teams have been established to work with business, private security and state-owned enterprises to tackle illegal mining, construction site extortion, cable theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure.
The review noted that by November 2023, the teams had made over 4 000 arrests for damage of critical infrastructure, 70 arrests for extortion at construction sites and over 3 000 arrests for illegal mining, and confiscated significant quantities of copper cable, rail tracks and other metals.
Government also launched the Border Management Authority as the third armed force to manage and secure the country’s borders, providing a vital link in government’s efforts to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On tackling gender-based violence and femicide(GBV), he National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence was developed, together with civil society, as a society-wide response to this national emergency. Around R21 billion has been dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has achieved an average conviction rate of 94% in femicide prosecutions and 75% in sexual offences prosecutions since 2019.
In addition, the GBVF Response Fund 1 was launched, which raised R200 million from the private sector for community-based organisations combating GBV. In the first year of the Fund’s operation, 53 community-based organisations were funded, reaching 280 000 participants.
Fighting corruption
The NPA Investigating Directorate was established to prosecute state capture and other significant corruption cases.
To date, the Investigating Directorate has taken 34 state capture and corruption cases to court, involving 203 accused persons and 65 accused entities. The NPA has also secured the conviction of over 500 government officials and nearly 800 in the private sector on offences related to corruption since 2019.
In addition, a SIU Special Tribunal was appointed to expedite civil claims against corrupt individuals and the recovery of stolen funds. Since its establishment, it has recovered over R8.6 billion.
As the country prepares for its 30 years of freedom celebration, the sixth administration has certainly done its bit in a challenging environment. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 15:11
268 views
Cofimvaba parents protest after scholar transport cancelled
Dozens of learners are unable to get to Sikhoba Nombewu Technical School
Education is the most powerful weapon against poverty, says President Ramaphosa
Education is the most powerful weapon against poverty, says President Ramaphosa
As the nation commemorates three decades of democracy this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the accomplishments of the class of 2023 matriculants, saying their success bears testament to the strides taken to enhance accessibility and equality in education.
“This year marks 30 years since South Africa became a democracy with equal rights, dignity and freedoms for all. The achievements of last year's matriculants show the progress we have made not only in making education more accessible, but also in making it more equal,” the President said in his weekly newsletter on Monday.
President Ramaphosa said the matric exam pass rate has been consistently improving over the past decade, from 78% ten years ago to 80% in 2022, with a new record now set by the class of 2023.
He said the country has high expectations of young South Africans who hope to sit for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam this year. He encouraged this year's cohort to draw inspiration from their predecessors, and challenged them to set their sights even higher.
“The class of 2023 has made our nation proud. The matric results released last week showed an 82.9% pass rate for the cohort of matriculants who sat for the NSC exam last year. This is the highest pass rate obtained since the NSC was introduced in 2008 and is a stellar achievement,” he said.
The President said by 2010, South Africa had attained the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education. Since then, the country has made steady progress in improving secondary school and post-school outcomes.
The President asserted that education is about so much more than personal betterment or obtaining a qualification to seek gainful employment. He said it is a ladder out of poverty.
“In a country such as ours, universal access to education is by far the most impactful intervention in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. It is our most effective weapon to overcome the effects of centuries of racism, discrimination and marginalisation of the black majority.
“To support young people on their learning journey and increase their prospects of completing school, the democratic State provides various forms of social protection to cushion vulnerable and indigent learners from the worst effects of poverty.
“These interventions include, among others, Early Childhood Development, social grants, a nationwide school nutrition programme and no-fee schools,” the President said.
Government also continues to invest heavily in improving school infrastructure, including school sanitation, and in the provision of teacher and learner support materials to schools in poor districts.
To enable eligible young people from poor families to further their studies, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds the costs of their education.
“While we are proud of all our matriculants, we are particularly proud of the young people who have succeeded in the face of great hardship and adversity.
“Included in the cohort of successful matriculants from last year are young people with disabilities, childcare grant beneficiaries, learners from child-headed households, orphans, those from informal settlements and those from some of the poorest districts in the country,” the President said.
Of the 110 top performing learners in last year's NSC exam, 62 were social grant beneficiaries. In 2023, matriculants, who receive some form of social grant, together achieved more than 160 000 distinctions, and more than 200 000 qualified for university entrance.
Learners from no-fee paying schools constituted more than 65% of the total Bachelor passes obtained. Three of the country's most rural provinces - Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo - contributed 59% of total passes with distinction.
“Of those who have now completed their secondary education, some will go on to further their studies and others will seek employment. I encourage all of society to reward the achievements of the many young people who have successfully passed secondary school by making more opportunities available to them.
“As government we have made the call for businesses to invest in our nation's future by employing more young people and, where possible, to do away with the requirement of prior work experience.
“I encourage companies to use the Employee Tax Incentive to hire more young job-seekers, to make more training and mentorship opportunities available, and to sign up with the Youth Employment Service and other initiatives being rolled out in partnership with government,” President Ramaphosa said.
For the many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who passed matric this year, the President emphasised that being given an opportunity to work or study further is a way out of poverty. He further urged that these young people must be given the hope and chance they need.
“As a country, we have laid the important groundwork for equitable access to education and ensured that young people are supported to finish school. It is now up to all of society to work together to ensure that every South African, young and old, is lifted out of poverty, given access to decent work and an opportunity to fulfil their true potential,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 01/22/2024 - 09:08
750 views
Zulu congratulates social grant beneficiaries for passing Grade 12
Zulu congratulates social grant beneficiaries for passing Grade 12
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has praised the Grade 12 students, who benefit from Social Development services and have successfully completed the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
Of the 897 775 Grade 12 learners who wrote their NSC, 543 786 full-time learners were social grant beneficiaries, with 62 out of 110 social grant beneficiaries amongst the top performing learners in different categories, as awarded by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
According to the department, social grant beneficiaries formed the largest number of learners who wrote their 2023 National Senior Certificate and 441 871 learners passed the NSC examinations which is an overall pass rate of 82.9%.
About 202 156 received a Bachelor's pass, which gains them access to institutions of higher learning, with 160 326 distinctions.
The Minister said that the child support grant formed the biggest grant type received by these learners, with the majority of them from KwaZulu-Natal, the second-best performing province after Free State.
The South African Constitution, through the Child Justice Act, also obligates the state to provide care and support services to children in conflict with the law, including educational opportunities.
According to the data from the Departments of Basic Education and Social Development, 1 630 children in conflict with the law registered for the 2023 NSC.
“Providing educational opportunities for children in conflict with the law is a key element of rehabilitating and re-integrating them back into society. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the CRC), which South Africa ratified in 1995, recognises the importance of education for children in conflict with the law,” Zulu said.
The Minister detailed that the Social Development sector has been integrating the social protection administrative data system to ensure better coordination of services and tracking of health and educational outcomes for beneficiaries of various government services aimed at tackling child and adult poverty.
She asserted that the linking and sharing of administrative data systems within the social cluster departments - Social Development, SASSA, Department of Basic Education, and NSFAS - ensure information is shared on the academic performance of social grant beneficiaries.
“One such success story of the benefits of linking and sharing of data systems was the agreement between Social Development and NSFAS on the exemption of social grants beneficiaries from the means test, a decision that has significantly bridged the higher education gap as it opened the doors of learning for many, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” the Minister said.
Zulu emphasised that education has the power to break the cycle of poverty and transform lives. By accessing education opportunities at institutions of higher learning, she said, many social grants beneficiaries have succeeded in creating a better future for themselves and their families, thus breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequality.
“The benefits of social grants extend beyond individual beneficiaries to broader society. Our government’s pro-poor policies such as our social assistance programme, no-fee schools, school nutrition, school uniforms, free health care including sanitary dignity packs have made significant impact over the past 30 years in reducing poverty by bridging the education gap for learners from impoverished backgrounds. We will continue to build on the success of these impactful interventions that have lifted many of our people out of poverty," Zulu said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 01/22/2024 - 12:10
268 views
Comparing Social Grant Recipients and Taxpayers Across Six Nations: A Statistical Snapshot
South Africans, in an election year, are understandably looking for ways to show that the present Government is doing one of the following: Taxing us into poverty Buying votes by increasing the number of Social Grants Indulging in Wholesale Fraud and Corruption Merely stating for instance that millions of social grant recipients are being supported …