South Africa has one of the most comprehensive social development programmes in the world, which could hold disastrous consequences for the country. It is ironically indicative of the ANC government’s inability to enable the economy to grow and create jobs, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on social development, says.

He said that although any attempt to uplift the country’s people is commendable, the massive extent of the program is unsustainable and unaffordable. The department of finance’s projections indicates that 18,5 million people will by 2028 be dependent on state grants.

“If the country’s economic growth is going to remain low, due to the ANC and president Jacob Zuma, the government will in due course only be able to afford salaries of public servants and social grants.

“Some economists’ projections indicate that this fiscal abyss will take place by 2026. This was however before the Nene-gate episode, and it is now predicted that that point will be reached much sooner. A credit downgrade to junk status also appears to be inevitable. The Reserve Bank indicates that the likelihood of this happening is medium to high.

“If any of this is to occur, the government will have to make difficult decisions. Does one stop all government programmes just to pay salaries and keep people chained to grants or does one drastically reduce the size of the public service and create a climate conducive for economic for entrepreneurship?

“The hard truth is that the ANC government will have to bring about drastic changes to create a freer economy which will create jobs and make people less dependent on social grants.

“In this, the social welfare system itself plays an important role. Those who are dependent on the system must also be taught how to take responsibility for their and their children’s future.

“This means, unlike now, child grants should be linked to proof that children attend school. Where there are indications that people merely have children just to gain access to grants social workers should intervene.

“Parents should also prove that they are looking for work or that they are trying to improve their skills. Government should do more to create programmes where unemployed people can receive free training in trades in which there are shortages. In this manner, both the giver and receiver of grants play a positive role in addressing the problem of dependency.

“Serious attention should also be paid to the country’s population growth. The population is already too big for the country’s economy, and the problem is made worse by the influx of illegal immigrants.

“This department will have to cooperate with the department of finance, trade and industry and economic development, to approach the problem in a holistic manner and to find solutions,” Adv. Alberts said.

Issued by FF Plus