Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu
Programme Director and Act. DG of Social Development, Mr Linton Mchunu,
Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and MECs of Social Development who may be joining us virtually,
CEO of the NDA, Ms Thamo Mzobe,
CEO of SASSA, Ms Totsi Memela-Khambula,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
When the President announced the re-introduction of the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, I was not only very happy, but also very encouraged by the care and commitment that our President and indeed government had shown in cushioning the poorest and distressed in our country, especially given the continued hardship that our people are still experiencing as a result of the ongoing pandemic and the devastating effects it is continuing to have on our country and households.
It would be recalled that on multiple occasions, I had indicated that the Department had been engaging with the relevant departments for the extension of this grant, given the positive impact the grant had during the first iteration. Not only did we manage to reduce hunger and vulnerability among poor households but we were especially successful at reducing poverty and inequality through the provision of both the SRD grant and the caregiver allowance that was initially provided.