Issued by the Ministry for Welfare, Population and Development
National Council of Provinces, 6 June 2000
Honourable Chairman of the NCOP,
Honourable Members
Representatives of the Welfare Community
Distinguished Guests
Comrades and Friends
I am pleased to present the Budget Vote for the Department of Welfare, Population and Development to the National Council of Provinces.
In presenting this Budget Vote speech I would like to reiterate a statement made by President Mbeki during his opening address to Parliament in February this year. He stated that whereas in the past suffering and degradation were the only things certain in the lives of millions of our people, "hope has now taken the place of despair."
Chairperson, in my Budget Vote speech today I wish to focus on the steps that the national and provincial governments have taken in the field of social welfare and development to ensure that hope takes the place of despair.
On the 18th of April when I introduced the Welfare Debate in the National Assembly I indicated that during the first period of democratic government the foundations were laid for a restructuring of the social welfare system. My predecessor led the introduction of significant policy and legislative changes within the framework of the Constitution and the Reconstruction and Development Programme. The White Paper on Social Welfare as well as a number of other policies provides examples of policy changes in social welfare.
That there have been sweeping changes that have touched the lives of millions of people in our country is unquestionable. But "touching" the lives of the poorest is not enough. As government and especially as the Department of Welfare, we have to ensure that the way we work, at national, provincial and local levels, does not lead to the alienation and further marginalisation of the most vulnerable sectors of our communities.
How do we transform our approaches, our welfare systems, our work behaviour and organise our departments at a national and provincial level to begin to make a real difference to the people who matter? How do we ensure that we do not squeeze out care, the invisible heart of human development and of social transformation, in the way we work?
To do this Chairperson, we have to understand our Constitutional mandate as well as our relationship with Provincial Departments. Moreover, we need to translate the principle of co-operative governance into reality so that there is clarity on what people can expect of us as we attempt to respond to their needs. Today, Chairperson I will share with you how we are giving effect to this.
Within the policy and legislative environment that has been established to deal with the legacy of apartheid in social welfare provision we are, at both National and Provincial levels, required to implement national legislation, policy and programme initiatives to address poverty, social disintegration and other persistent social problems. The National Department is obliged to assist each provincial welfare department to understand the legislative and programme imperatives that drive the work of government.
To do this, I have undertaken to work together with my provincial colleagues to implement a 10 Point Plan that has come out of provincial and national processes of engagement with people and organisations of civil society. The Council of Welfare Ministers (MINMEC), who, like myself, are new entrants into the Welfare field in this term of government. But, let me add, not new to the issues of poverty that we are grappling with, are working with me as an invaluable and crucial link with those we serve.
In our engagement on the wide ranging problems that need to be dealt with to provide an effective welfare and development service the Council of Welfare Ministers are challenged to:
I have visited all provinces, with the exception of the Northern Cape, to gain an understanding of the state of welfare and monitor what is happening. MECs have joined me in my visits and meetings to expose some of the problems and to find ways to address these.
We are determined that systematic attempts be made to root out inefficiency, corruption and indifference. We may not be able to see the type of change that we want as quickly as is needed, but let me assure you Chairperson, that we must, and we will change the way we work in welfare and development.
These are not just promises. As you are aware, during the debate on 9th March in the NCOP on the Poverty Relief Programme, I detailed the many problems that had bedevilled the programme. Today, I would like to report on the actions we have taken to bring the principles of human development and social protection into welfare practice.
We continue to implement an integrated poverty eradication strategy that provides direct benefits to those who are in greatest need within a sustainable development approach. During the past year we supported 1933 projects in provinces and 15 national programmes. These projects assisted approximately 11 197 women, 2 904 men, 2055 youth and disabled persons. Detailed information on the projects that have received funds is available on the Department of Welfare's website. This can be found at www.welfare.gov.za
Corrective measures have been instituted to deal with problems related to the initial delays in the disbursement of poverty relief funds.
These measures include, firstly, a financial audit of the poverty relief disbursements made in the 1997/1998 and the 1998/1999 financial years.
Secondly, the responsibilities and roles of national and provincial departments have been clarified. In the MIN/MEC we have established a committee, which I chair, to ensure the alignment of all projects with programme objectives. Provinces have been assigned a larger role in project selection and the national department will be responsible for co-ordinating the monitoring and evaluation of the programme. Accountability structures with detailed guidelines are being established for all sectors.
In addition, we have established a partnership with a number of faith-based organisations and NGOs working in the area of poverty relief. Based on these consultations guidelines are being drawn up on ways of improving the programme management processes in the poverty relief fund.
The role of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) as a disbursement agency has been invaluable in the poverty relief programme. Their disbursement role will be enhanced to encompass a monitoring and capacity building function. This monitoring and evaluation will include a central role for the NGO and faith based sectors.
These protocols need to have acceptable guidelines for the selection of projects, disbursement procedures, financial and professional accountability and evaluation.
We will ensure that national and provincial departments of welfare have the requisite procedures and systems for effective financial control, management, monitoring and accountability.
Further initiatives, as a part of the integrated poverty eradication strategy, include the Community Empowerment Programme currently being piloted in the North West Province. Plans are underway to extend this programme to Mpumalanga. The main aim of this programmes is to build community capacity to plan and manage a range of locally based development initiatives.
The micro-save programme in KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Province and Eastern Cape as a part of the Integrated Rural Development Strategy is being improved. These programmes aim to strengthen the stokvel-type savings collectives to promote a culture of savings and the economic viability of micro enterprise for poor households, and especially for women. We have forged new partnerships with organisations such as People's Dialogue and appreciate the technical support provided by the UNDP and ILO in these programmes.
I would now like to address the issue of social security. A key policy objective of our social security system is to provide social assistance to those citizens who are not able to provide for themselves. The social assistance programme provides benefits to approximately 3 million of the most vulnerable people in our society. Namely, older persons, persons with disabilities and children under the age of seven years.
The uptake rate of the Child Support Grant has increased from 36 000 in April 1999 to 334 000 in March 2000. This represents an increase of almost a 1000%. In seven of the provinces the re-registration process is almost complete. This process is designed to clean the database and eliminate fraud from the system.
The South African Constitution grants everyone the right to have access to social security, appropriate social assistance for those individuals who are unable to support themselves. It also obliges the State to implement measures to ensure the progressive realisation of these rights. Cabinet has therefore established a Committee of Investigation into Social Security.
This Committee will make proposals on how we develop a comprehensive social security system that links contributory and non-contributory schemes and prioritises the most vulnerable households. The Welfare Department is leading this critical process.
An important part its brief includes an investigation into the extension of social protection to the working poor, unwaged workers and all those currently not covered by any form of assistance. Further, it has been charged with the task of working on the proposal from the Job Summit for "A Basic Income Grant" or what I prefer to call a "Development Grant".
The Committee has already held two meetings to take forward its brief. It has met with both National and International experts in the field of Social Security and has worked out a detailed plan on how it will involve the Provinces, Civil Society, Government Departments and relevant stake holders, including worker organisations and business in its deliberations.
A progress report on what has been done by this Committee thus far will be given to me in the next two weeks. I will ensure that the Provinces and this House get the reports as soon as possible. Since the Committee's work has major significance for us as we attempt to promote national interests and provide for the poorest people we will ensure that the process is thorough and comprehensive. As such, the work of the committee will be conducted over a period of at least 12 to 18 months and will involve rigorous investigation, debate and proposals based on South African realities.
A new welfare payment and information service is also being established to improve operational efficiency of the welfare system. However all these initiatives need to be supported by appropriate infra-structural developments at provincial levels to ensure that pensioners do not suffer in long queues.
Another issue of concern is the increase in the number of litigation cases against the provinces with regard to their implementation of the regulations of the Social Assistance Act of 1992. We are actively working with the provinces to ensure that this situation is addressed speedily.
We have strengthened programmes to respond to the brutal effects of all forms of violence against women, children and older persons. The department has established 60 one-stop service centres through which abused women and children can receive assistance.
The high levels of abuse against elderly persons are unacceptable and are being urgently addressed. The Committee of Enquiry into Elderly Abuse, which was established at the end of March this year, will be submitting its report by September. The Committee has visited traditional leaders in the Northern Province, the Northwest and the Eastern Cape to secure their support. Provincial visits and public hearings have been held in the Free State, the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.
Negotiations with the Minister of Safety and Security are underway to ensure the protection of older persons when they receive their pension payments. The free rein that criminals and loan sharks have had to harass and intimidate older persons on pension payment days will soon come to an end.
A national audit of the physical infrastructure used for the disbursement of welfare grant payments is being commissioned. The infrastructure and associated working conditions make it extremely difficult for staff to render an efficient service. Discussions with the Minister of Health to ensure the provision of adequate first aid and medical services for older persons when they go to receive their pension payments are also to be held.
Urgent attention has been given to the development of a national strategy to reduce the number of young people in trouble with the law and promote youth development. Our prevention and remedial services for youth have sought to accelerate the transformation of the child and youth care system to ensure that our interventions are developmental.
We have introduced 15 Child and Youth Care Service Projects in 8 provinces with development assistance from the Netherlands Government. One of these projects, Stepping Stones in the Eastern Cape won an award for innovative service delivery. The Netherlands government recommended that it should become an "International Learning Site." I wish to congratulate those involved in this project and the Provincial welfare department. These projects have provided best practice models for ongoing work in this field.
Both the national and provincial departments are concerned about the increasing number of children in prisons and police cells. Most provinces are in the process of establishing secure care facilities that meet the specified minimum requirements. I would like to single out two provinces. The Northern Cape now has two secure care centres, one in Kimberley and the other in Upington. The Free State is exploring the feasibility of combining its exemplary secure care facilities with its One-stop Youth Justice Centre.
Chairperson, the most critical aspect of our work with young people is our response to one of the fastest growing incidences of HIV/AIDS in the world. Our response to the HIV/Aids epidemic requires that we confront the denial, fear and stigmatisation associated with the disease. All of this is not possible without the greater involvement of people living with or affected by HIV/Aids.
One of the challenges for the national Department of Welfare is to create an enabling and supportive environment for children infected and affected by HIV/Aids. A particular challenge is to ensure the rights and development of Aids orphans.
We have engaged in extensive consultations with the provinces and have collectively drawn up a National Integrated Plan for Children Infected and Affected by HIV/Aids. The plan is a joint effort between the departments of Welfare, Education and Health
In order to accelerate the implementation of the plan, the departments of Welfare and Health have held a joint MinMec to assess the most effective ways of supporting community and home based care. Government has allocated an amount of 6 million rands for this programme over the next year.
The Child Protection Week Campaign, which took, place between the 28th May and 3rd June this year under the leadership of the Department of Welfare, has once again served to ensure that this issue remains in the public spotlight.
Honourable members of the house, it is very significant that for the first time in our nation's history, we have also been able to spearhead and implement an Angolan Solidarity Programme. We are committed to mobilising the people of South Africa to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Angola. This year, as we celebrate and commemorate the international day of the child, National Youth Day and the Child Protection Week; we will be highlighting the linkages to the Angola Solidarity Programme.
An Inter-Departmental Committee for Solidarity with Angola has been in place since February and has been responsible for organising the Angola Focus Weeks which ran from May 15 to May 30 this year.
The public response has been overwhelming and encouraging. Many organisations and individuals have made contributions and many more are still coming forward. Contributions have been received from faith based organisations, provinces, individuals, and the business sector. Even prisoners from Cullinan have donated shoes for Angolan victims of war. Let me take the opportunity to thank all those that have contributed. Ningadinwa Nongomso!
I make a heartfelt appeal to all our people. Please support the Angola Appeal Fund.
The Disaster Relief Fund has processed applications for assistance in response to various floods, tornadoes and veldfires across the country.
We are committed to making social welfare services accessible and available to people in rural, peri-urban and informal settlements. Ensuring equity in service provision is critical to the caring society that we are building. I am therefore pleased to report that with respect to access and coverage, our service provision is increasingly reaching the poorest members of our communities. There is a significant shift away from a race based welfare system to one that is need based. But racism and inequities will take some time to overcome.
I would like to conclude this Budget Vote speech by reiterating our commitment to co-operative governance. The MECs for social welfare in the provinces as well as the full range of civil society organisations, including the voluntary welfare and faith based organisations have been working with me and the department to find practical solutions to the problems we face.
I commend their commitment to addressing the needs of the poorest people and I am sure that together we can develop a process based on accountability, responsiveness, efficiency and equity.
We have been working on a number of fronts to change the welfare system, I have only dealt with a few in my speech to you today. But can we say that we are reinventing the system by bringing care, the invisible heart of human development into the system. I hope so. Let us work together so that hope can take the place of despair.
I thank you.