Parliamentary Media Briefing - Social Sector Cluster

Welcome to this Social Sector Cluster briefing on the progress of the implementation of the Programme of Action of Government for 2007-2008. The cluster has at least eight focus areas and we believe we are making progress in all of them.

However, because of the time limitations this briefing will focus on areas of Comprehensive social security, healthcare, housing and human settlement, Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), provision of basic services and education.

Comprehensive social security

With regard to the design of benefits for persons with chronic diseases, a phased implementation of the common tool to be used to assess the degree of disability should begin soon.

As part of the measures to reach vulnerable children over the age of 14 years, the cluster together with the Office of the Rights of the Child (ORC) is working on the definition of the child and rationalisation of all legislation dealing with children.

The regulations relating to the Road Accident Fund have been finalized. The Ministers of Health and Transport have met and discussed comments from the Health Department on the tool for evaluation of injury and the tariffs for non-emergency medical treatment.

The Medical Schemes Amendment Bill has been finalised incorporating the views of the stakeholders. In preparation for the implementation of the REF, a shadow exercise has been completed, and the methodology for determining scheme contribution has been revised. The Medical Aid Schemes are submitting their data in anticipation of implementation. Systems have also been put in place, with necessary security measures, linked to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The Department of Health will hold final consultations on the Bill with the Council for Medical Aids Schemes. And then submit it to Cabinet.

To popularise our National Symbols, 2 000 flags have been installed in schools and at strategic/entry points to the cities and towns and government institutions.

The celebration of Heritage Day and Freedom Day continue to be a platform for the promotion of national symbols.

Nationwide Public Hearings on the Standardisation of Geographical Names in SA are expected to commence in March next year.

Comprehensive healthcare

A number of patients benefited from a variety of eye care services including cataract operations during the Eye Care Awareness Month in October. Programmes to promote healthy lifestyle including school-based food gardening projects continue. An audit of existing Government health promotion programmes that impact on youth health suggest the need for improved coordination of these programmes.

Acknowledging the central role of nurses in the labour intensive exercise of health service delivery, the efforts to open more nursing colleges are underway with Dora Ngiza and Andre Vosloorus nursing colleges in Eastern Cape being the latest to open. Two temporary structures for training of nurses are being built in Waterberg and Greater Sekhukhune districts in Limpopo.

More than R1,45 billion is being spent in increasing the salaries of nurses as part of the effort to recruit and retain this category of health professionals in the public sector. Entry level salary for Staff Nurses has been increased by 20% while salaries for Nursing Assistants and Professional Nurses in general nursing have been increased by 24%. Certain Professional Nurses serving in speciality areas could, subject to the appointment requirements, receive up to 88% increases at production levels depending on their current salary positions.

As from January next year, nurses will become the last group of health professionals to join the one-year community service programme. This means that more than 2 000 nurses who have completed four-year comprehensive nursing diploma or degree are going to be available for deployment in various public health facilities particularly in the underserved.

The closing date for forms listing candidate's preferred facilities was yesterday. In view of the fact that most applicants have contracts with provincial Health Departments, these candidates are expected to do community service in provinces that have funded them.

Social Sector Plan of the Expanded Public Works Programme

The Department of Social Development launched a national registration drive in October 2007. Provincial departments are reporting an increase in enquiries from various community based centres, requesting information on registration and subsidies, since the launch of the campaign.

To date, 369 sites have been registered since April 2007, and there are 314 thousand children from poor households who receive subsidies from the Department in the past financial year. An additional 435 000 children are targeted to receive subsidies in the current financial year.

Housing and Human Settlement

The Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements (BNG) provides strategic and programmatic shift from housing to Sustainable Human Settlements. An Inclusionary Housing Policy has been developed and the voluntary aspects of the policy are currently being implemented in mixed income housing developments. A Programme on Municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) & Human Settlements to ensure better integrated development planning has been introduced and implemented widely.

The National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) launched a building and home improvement loans for Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses to increase living spaces.

Basic Services

By the end of August, a little more that 100 000 households were still using the bucket system. The challenges highlighted in eradication of the bucket system include:
- community expectation to replace buckets with full waterborne system
- insufficient water resources resulting in higher unit costs
- and the need to construct new or upgrade bulk infrastructure to deal with additional load brought about by additional waterborne sanitation systems.

Despite these challenges, there is commitment from National, Provincial and Local government in all affected areas to actively pursue the target of eradication of the bucket system by the end of 2007.

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has conducted a study on the status of waste services in the country and challenges faced by municipalities in delivery of waste services. The Department has subsequently initiated a process for the development of the Waste Removal Policy.

A total number of 17,4 million people benefited from improved water supply up to April 2007 whilst 6,9 million people still need to be served. Free Basic Electricity is being provided to 3,6 million households, translating to 67% of the households with electricity. A total of 2,6 million households were served with basic sanitation since 1994 whilst 3,5 million still lack access to basic sanitation services at April 2007.

Education

The process is underway to recapitalise further education and training colleges to ensure relevance to the needs of the economy and to provide financial assistance to students. The first R500 million of the recapitalisation funds have been spent on infrastructure, workshops, classrooms and equipment. Second amount of R500 million has been disbursed for the further development of colleges for skills programmes. R1,2 billion bursary scheme is established, with R66 million awarded to 12 500 students in 2007.

Efforts are also being made to increase output of universities in priority sectors. Between 2007/08 and 2009/10, R439 million has been allocated to increase the enrolment and output of engineering faculties. These allocations will lead to an increase in enrolment of 1 800 students by 2010 and the production of 421 more graduates. Significant increase in the number of graduates will occur from 2012 and beyond.

Conclusion

It is our view that while there are still many challenges, the cluster is making progress in delivering on the policy objectives of the Programme of Action for 2007/08 aimed at improving the social conditions of the people of South Africa.

Delivered by Dr Zola Skweyiya
Minister of Social Development

On behalf of Social Sector Cluster

Issued by: Department of Social Development
6 November 2007