Cuma Pantshwa

• – Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Conference deliberates on “Positioning the NDA as a thought leader in poverty eradication and amplifying the role of CSOs as drivers of sustainable community development.
• – “We will continue changing lives, and now is the time to be known not only for funding, but also for capacitating our civil society.”Acting CEO of the NDA, Mr Thabani Buthelezi
• – CSOs expected to play a critical role in delivering feedback, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and providing key insights that will inform and refine future NDA interventions.

Today marks the opening of the Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Conference led by the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe.
Hosted by the National Development Agency (NDA)—an entity of the Department of Social Development (DSD)—the two-day gathering in Benoni brings together a diverse range of civil society organisations from across South Africa, along with leadership from DSD, SASSA, the NDA, and development partners under the compelling theme:
“Positioning the NDA as a thought leader in poverty eradication and amplifying the role of CSOs as drivers of sustainable community development.”

The conference aims to reposition the NDA not just as a funder of community-based organisations, but as a strategic enabler of partnerships, innovation, and sustainable impact.
Speaking to this vision, Acting CEO of the NDA, Mr Thabani Buthelezi, emphasised the urgency of redefining how the state engages with civil society.

“This theme reflects our renewed commitment to be a pivotal force in enabling state-CSO collaboration,” he said. “CSOs are the ones at the heart and centre of communities. They know and understand the people’s lived realities.”

Buthelezi said the time has come for the NDA to evolve beyond its traditional role as a grant-disbursing agency.

“We are reimagining partnerships. It also speaks to strengthening stakeholder engagement and advocating for innovative approaches to poverty eradication.” he said.

Reflecting on the volatile global context, Buthelezi said:
“We find ourselves in a world that is in flux. We’ve seen how some Presidents can make certain utterances, and things start tumbling down.”, Buthelezi said, referring to the abrupt withdrawal of donor funding such as USAID and called for bold solutions and more resilient, homegrown funding models.

“We will continue changing lives, and now is the time to be known not only for funding, but also for capacitating our civil society.”

NDA Board Chairperson, Ms Ruth Bhengu, echoed these sentiments in her welcome address. In a warm message to Minister Tolashe, she expressed gratitude for the Minister’s open-door leadership and responsiveness.

“The NDA has turned over a new leaf because of you,” Bhengu said. “This conference is a clear outcome of leadership that listens and acts. The NDA is finally moving in the right direction.”

The NDA, as a government agency mandated to contribute towards poverty eradication and promote sustainable development through partnerships with CSOs, is aligning its programmatic focus with the Government of National Unity (GNU) pillar on “Reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living.” This alignment strengthens its legislative mandate and affirms its role as a catalyst for scalable solutions to poverty.

A key highlight of the conference is the CSO exhibition, where 38 NDA-funded projects are showcasing poverty eradication initiatives across various provinces. More than 160 CSO attendanding the conference will also participate in commissions that focus on deepening collaboration, accountability, and long-term impact.

Delivering a thought-provoking input on the CSO landscape, Ms Mpho Mngxitama reminded delegates of the shared end goal:

“We have to move further than where we are to make sure that we achieve our goal, which is to eradicate poverty,” she said. “Progress is being made, but we also know that real change will only happen through strong coordination between government and the private sector.”

As the conference continues in this inclusive platform, CSOs will play a critical role in delivering feedback, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and providing key insights that will inform and refine future NDA interventions.

By Cuma Pantshwa

• We cannot penalise the children!” DSD Chief Director:Social Assistance responds to petition on “Should the Older Persons Grant be increased, even if it means reducing the Child Support Grant?”
• ⁠“Social security provides a supplementary benefit when there is insufficient income to achieve a minimum standard of living. Social grants remain a vital safety net, particularly for the poorest households.” Minister Nokuzola Tolashe.
• The Older Persons Grant is already the highest-valued grant and consistently sits above the Food Poverty Line (FPL).

The Department of Social Development (DSD) on Wednesday strongly defended the grant allocation to minors against a rising debate that sought to trim and relocate R500 from the Child Support Grant (CSG) to the Older Person’s Grant (OPG) to lessen their financial burden as the current amount is reportedly insufficient.

DSD officials appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Social Development warned against trading one vulnerable group for another, despite the perceived societal imbalances.
This, as the household survey has shown that the Social Grants are the main income for most households in South Africa at 50,5%. —reaching over 19 million people, including 4.1 million older persons.

The Committee oversees the work of the DSD and its agencies—including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA).

The proposal sparked robust discussions around fairness, dignity, the rising cost of living, and the government’s role in social protection.
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development, chaired by MP Ms Bridget Masango convened to respond to a petition by the United South Africa Party which is calling for a significant increase to the Older Persons Grant (OPG), at least to R5 000 by trimming the Child Support Grant (CSG).
Presenting to the Committee, United South Africa Party Leader Riyad Isaacs said that older persons are receiving too little support and deserve a substantial increase. Describing them as “the backbone of society.” he advocated for a R500 increase to the Older Persons Grant.
Mr Isaacs, who said he represented more than 53 000 pensioners, argued that the CSG was not as essential because children born out of wedlock could be supported by their parents or grandparents.
“I argue that it’s nice to be promiscuous, why does the state need to foot the bill, where are the parents, why must that be shifted to the state to make that payment? I am not saying we need to take away the CSG in one bang, maybe the process could be done over three years or five years. We could do without the CSG and have that money shifted to the OPG. The R5 000 is not an alpha and omega number but whatever can be added to the OPG can help them live with dignity,” he said.

His submission included a detailed cost breakdown from SASSA, which illustrated how such a shift could be phased in and assessed the fiscal impact across provinces.
The Child Support Grant, only available to those who qualify based on a means test, is R560 per month per child.

Minister Tolashe thanked Mr Isaacs for the petition, noting that it was a necessary reminder of the government’s responsibility to all citizens.
However, she stressed the importance of a balanced approach. “Social grants are not a silver bullet. We must view them as one piece in a broader basket of services provided by the government to improve people’s lives.”

Historical Context and the Right to Social Security

In her opening remarks, ahead of the Department’s presentation, Minister Tolashe delivered a heartfelt reflection on the legacy of inequality and the constitutional promise of access to social security, as enshrined in Section 27 of the Constitution.
“Social security provides a supplementary benefit when there is insufficient income to achieve a minimum standard of living,” she said. “Social grants remain a vital safety net, particularly for the poorest households.”

Minister Tolashe emphasised that before 1994, just 2.5 million people received social grants—access largely determined by race. Since then, the democratic government has significantly expanded coverage. The percentage of households benefiting from social grants grew from 12.8% in 2003 to 30.9% in 2019. During the pandemic, the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant pushed coverage to 39.4% by 2023.
“Today, 50.5% of South African households rely on social grants as their main source of income,” she added.

DSD’s Response Data Driven and Equity-Focused

Delivering the Department’s technical response, Dr Maureen Mogotsi, Chief Director:Social Assistance at the DSD, warned against trading one vulnerable group for another.
“We cannot penalise the children for some of society’s ills,” she said, affirming that the Department’s position is to ensure equity and maximise impact.

She explained that the Older Persons Grant is already the highest-valued grant and consistently sits above the Food Poverty Line (FPL), whereas the CSG remains below the FPL—even as child poverty remains more widespread than adult poverty in South Africa.

Raising the OPG by R500 for all 4.1 million recipients would require an additional R25 billion to the annual social grants budget of R284.7 billion.

Budget Realities: Fiscal Constraints and Human Needs

Dr Mogotsi highlighted that 61% of the national budget is currently allocated to the “social wage,” which includes education, health, housing, and social grants. Despite this prioritisation, the economic climate demands careful trade-offs.

“In this context, the government must choose between increasing the value of existing grants or expanding support to those who are still excluded,” she said.

Evidence-Based Policy Making

Dr Mogotsi stressed that all grant-related policy decisions are backed by rigorous research and data. She cited a new study that’s been commissioned of the spousal means test for the OPG, which will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure fair eligibility criteria.
Dr Mogotsi reminded the Committee that grants are part of a wider network of state support services aimed at improving quality of life. These include:
Free basic water to 2.2 million households
Free electricity to 1.8 million households
Free sewerage services to 1.5 million households
Solid waste removal for 2 million households
81.9% of households living in formal dwellings
Public healthcare and access to education for dependents

Members of the Committee acknowledged the urgent challenges facing older South Africans, but also warned against policies that would improve the lives of one vulnerable group at the cost of another, especially when it comes to children.

The Department of Social Development reaffirmed its commitment to supporting older persons, while urging a more holistic and sustainable approach to social protection.

“Social grants are a cornerstone of South Africa’s poverty alleviation strategy,” Minister Tolashe concluded. “But we must never allow them to become a zero-sum game. Our Constitution demands dignity and equality for all—young and old. And that is what we will strive for.”

By Thembile Nqabeni

• The primary objective of the second build-up activity was to equip parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard their children.
• Thaba-Nchu has been identified as an area with a high rate of child abuse, making it a critical location for such initiatives, an apt choice following reported cases of children between the ages of 10-14 who are pregnant.
• ⁠Parents were given pointers on recognising the signs of child abuse, seeking help and understanding children’s rights.

The second dry-run of activities building-up to Child Protection Week Activity starting next week was held at Refentse Primary School in Thaba-Nchu, where parents gathered to engage in crucial discussions about child safety.
It follows a similar event held on Wednesday in Dewetsdorp, Morojaneng, in preparation for the Child Protection main event which will take place on 11 May 2025 in Thaba Nchu. The program targeted school learners; parents and community members.

Thaba-Nchu has been identified as an area with a high rate of child abuse, making it a critical location for such initiatives. Disturbingly, there have been reported cases of children between the ages of 10-14 who are pregnant, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and education.

The build-up activity is in collaboration with the Department of Labour, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Setshabelo Center under Risiha program and Tshireletsong Against Women Abuse (TAWA)

The Child Protection week long campaign aims to raise awareness about child protection and promotes a safe and supportive environment for children not to be exposed to any kind of abuse.
The event will feature educational programs that teaches learners and parents to be aware of forms abuse and ways to prevent child abuse and neglect in their households which starts with the way parents talk to their children and the kind of language used .

The collaboration between government departments,local stakeholders and NPO’s shows commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of children within Dewetsdorp community.

The primary objective of this build-up activity was to equip parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard their children.

The sessions focused on:

Recognising the signs of child abuse: Parents learn how to identify potential indicators of abuse and take prompt action to prevent further harm.

Seeking help: Parents are informed about the available resources and support systems, enabling them to ask for help when needed.

Understanding children’s rights: The activities aim to educate parents about their children’s rights, fostering a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring their children’s well-being

The second session of today’s build-up activity was held at Tlotlanang Combined School in Thaba-Nchu. The age group ranged from 12 to 16 years old. The build-up activity focused on engaging with child, and the topics discussed were:

•⁠ ⁠Understanding children’s rights

•⁠ ⁠What is child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and online sexual exploitation and abuse

•⁠ ⁠Types of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and abuse

•⁠ ⁠Signs and symptoms of a sexually abused child, including blind sexual exploitation and abuse

•⁠ ⁠What to do when a child is sexually abused

The learners were divided into different groups to discuss these topics.

One of the learners from the school said, “Being forced to take nude pictures and being forced to sleep with someone against your own will is considered a sexual offense as well.” She further said, “As learners, we need to report any form of abuse or feeling uncomfortable around any men.

While May is considered as Child Protection Awareness Month, the importance of protecting children extends far beyond a single month. Child protection is a 365-day responsibility for parents and caregivers. By engaging with parents and communities throughout the year, we can work towards creating a safer environment for all children.

Investing time and effort into educating parents and caregivers about child protection, we can build a brighter future for the children of Thaba-Nchu. Through these build-up activities, we hope to inspire a culture of care, support, and protection, ultimately reducing the incidence of child abuse and promoting a safer, healthier community for all.

23 APRIL 2025

 

Your Excellency Prime Minister Matekane,

Honourable Ministers,

Our respective High Commissioners,

Senior Government Officials,

Members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Your Excellency,

 

Thank you for your warm words of welcome.

 

It is an honour to co-chair with you the second session of the Bi-National Commission between our countries.

 

We are meeting here to further strengthen ancient bonds of geography, history, kinship, solidarity and common destiny.

 

In October last year, we were honoured to join His Majesty Letsie III and the people of this beautiful Mountain Kingdom to celebrate the 200th anniversary since the founding of the Basotho nation and the 58th anniversary of your independence.

 

As South Africans, we shall remain forever grateful for the unwavering solidarity and support this country extended to the oppressed people of South Africa during the dark days of apartheid.

 

We recall the selfless sacrifices you made in that journey of bravery and heroism.

 

As one of the trailblazer countries to achieve independence from colonial rule, the Kingdom of Lesotho has over nearly six decades contributed to the development of our region and the continent.

 

Lesotho has sought to promote and support the institutions of democracy and good governance.

 

We commend your ongoing efforts to advance the political and constitutional reform agenda.

 

The relationship between our two countries is characterised by cooperation, good neighbourliness and a mutually beneficial relationship.

 

This BNC mechanism needs to ensure that the 45 agreements and legal instruments that have been signed are fully implemented.

 

We assemble in this session at a time of new global challenges and uncertainties.

 

These challenges are not insurmountable.

 

Working together, we should identify opportunities for progress in this rapidly changing environment.

 

As neighbours, we have great scope to deepen bilateral cooperation in many areas while maintaining political and economic engagements with all countries.

 

Cooperation in infrastructure development is a major priority.

 

South Africa and Lesotho are making strides in cooperation on water resource management.

 

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a good example of how two friendly countries can collaborate to the benefit of our peoples.

 

It is our hope that Phase 2 of this project is completed soon.

 

South Africa and Lesotho should work together in electricity generation.

 

We should align our country’s just energy transition agendas and projects.

 

Energy security is critical for our two countries.

 

It will play a major role in driving our manufacturing industries, powering our cities, towns and villages and enabling us to adapt to the demands of the new global economy.

 

We need to redouble our efforts to establish bilateral and regional value chains that are sustainable and economically viable.

 

Our countries are both endowed with mineral resources and we need to beneficiate these minerals locally.

 

We should develop within our jurisdictions strategies for critical and rare minerals, which continue to attract global interest.

 

At the same time, we must diversify the products we produce and the services we provide.

 

In this regard, the establishment of logistics hubs, agro-processing facilities and data centres to support the emerging digital industry are some of the opportunities that South Africa and Lesotho should harness.

 

Lesotho hosts many South African companies and we appreciate the conducive environment in which these corporate entities operate.

 

Investments by Basotho companies in the South African economy need to be further promoted.

 

We need to work together to harmonise measures for the movement of our respective citizens across our borders.

 

We can strengthen immigration cooperation in a manner that is effective and secure.

 

We must address cross-border criminal activities that undermine the harmonious co-existence that our countries and peoples enjoy.

 

Our respective authorities should remain seized with the threats posed by global organised crime, which fuels illegal mining, drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling, wildlife destruction, illicit financial flows and money laundering.

 

Cooperation in education is fundamental to our shared future.

 

We should make it easy for young Basotho pupils, who live a stone’s throw away from schools on the South African side, to be able to go to school.

 

While this needs to be properly managed, bureaucratic impediments should not prevent the development of these young minds.

 

South African institutions of higher learning host many Basotho students, who provide the skills and capacity needed by the Kingdom of Lesotho.

 

During the days of apartheid, children of our exiled activists and young adults attended schools and institutions of learning in this country.

 

Many of our leaders attended the National University of Lesotho, famously known as Roma.

 

It is therefore only fitting and proper that we enhance cooperation in the field of education.

 

As South Africa undertook its transition to democracy and was grappling with the process of constitution making and state building, Lesotho was there to support us.

 

Now, as the Kingdom of Lesotho makes progress in its institutional reforms, we stand ready to share our experiences in areas such as strengthening the constitutional architecture, security sector reform, judicial capacity building and other areas of institutional development.

 

Our common heritage and shared destiny require that we be united in purpose and work towards the upliftment of our peoples.

 

Let us work together as peace-loving nations – within SADC, the African Union and the United Nations – to pursue a just global order founded on multilateralism, human rights and respect for international law.

 

Let us strive together to reform global institutions so that they are inclusive and advance the interests of the Global South.

 

As we open this Session, I join you in applauding the Ministers and Senior Officials for their hard work, 6 commitment in preparing the report of this Commission.

 

I look forward, Your Excellency, to fruitful deliberations.

 

I thank you.

 

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF SOUTH AFRICA

 

Warm regards,

 

Internal Communication