________________________________________

Program Director;

Deputy Minister of Social Development;

Acting Director-General

SASSA CEO

Members of the Media;

Good afternoon.

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INTRODUCTION

I must express my sincere gratitude for this platform to engage with our clients and beneficiaries on matters related to their social grants and most importantly providing update on current development including measures to improve accessibility at all fronts. I continue to be grateful to the President for the honour and trust he has placed in me through this appointment which I have accepted with humility and respect. I will use this position to restore the aspirations, confidence and dignity to all our social grant beneficiaries and communities who are facing long queues and frustrations in most of our offices.

This year mark twenty years since South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) was established in terms South African Social security Agency Act, 2004 and the Social Assistance Act, 2004 and these acts provide a clear constitutional mandate: to provide comprehensive social security services to eligible citizens with dignity, respect, and efficiency

As we celebrate this milestone, we pay special tribute to the former Minister of Social Development, the late Dr Zola Skweyiya for his determination and foresight in the early design of South Africa’s Constitution and in the establishment of SASSA. For 20 years, SASSA has stood and continues to stand as a fulfilment of our Constitution’s promise of a dignified and better life for all, ensuring that the most vulnerable—children, older persons and persons with disabilities have the vital income support they need, and when they need most in their lives.

This an important reflection on a journey marked by resilience, innovation, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the people of our country.

SASSA has evolved into one of the largest social protection systems on the African continent. Every month, we reach millions of beneficiaries across urban centres, rural villages, farms, informal settlements, and remote communities. Behind every grant payment is a human story, a grandmother feeding her grandchildren, a young child able to attend school, a family finding stability during difficult times. This is the true meaning of social security: restoring dignity and expanding opportunities.

Today, I want to speak directly to the millions of South Africans who depend on social grants and assure them that we have listened, heard and observed their frustrations they are recently experiencing and at the same time wish to commit that we remain fully committed to protecting both their dignity and their rights to social assistance.

Social grants are not merely payments, they are a lifeline to remove poverty from many households, the vulnerable, the child who depends on a grant, grandmother who holds a household together, the young person searching for dignity and work. They help keep the lights on in a household where no one else has an income. They provide support to persons with disabilities and bring stability to families facing difficult circumstances. For over these twenty years, our government has progressively advanced this course as we have witnessed that Social-assistance programmes have been expanding from covering just 2.7 million in 1994 at its launch in 2006, we administered grants just over 10 million beneficiaries monthly which grew to 19 million social grants today.

As we ensure that vulnerable are supported with social protection, we must do so to ensure that every eligible person receives the support to which they are entitled to. At the same time, we must ensure that public resources are protected and that the social assistance system remains credible, sustainable and fair.

SOCIAL GRANT REVIEWS: PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF SOCIAL GRANTS

I must say in the few days in office, I received complaints regarding our people standing in long queues in most of our offices and had to step in urgently to understand the course and seek immediate intervention to bring back dignity and respect. One of the important programs we are implementing in SASSA is the social grant review process which I am reliably informed the agency launched in 2025 and did media briefing to educate our people on the importance of adhering to our social assistance regulations. I do understand this has caused panic and to a greater degree, frustrations in the social grant beneficiaries.

Let me however assure the public that in terms of Regulation 30 and Section 14(5) of the Social Assistance Act, 2004, SASSA is required to regularly review social grants to confirm beneficiaries’ continued eligibility, while beneficiaries are legally obliged to report any material changes in their circumstances, including financial or marital status.

Reviews help ensure that beneficiaries continue to meet the eligibility requirements for the grants they receive and that changes in financial, medical or personal circumstances are properly reflected in beneficiary records. This grant review process also continues to guard against the wasteful government resources in line with the already pressured government fiscus, the more we safe, the more our people are covered with social assistance.  These measures are intended to enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the cost effective administration of social assistance, while safeguarding the system so that social grants are paid only to eligible beneficiaries.

Simply put, social grant reviews help ensure that the right grant is paid to the right person, at the right time.

Reviews also protect the system against fraud, abuse and incorrect payments. In an age where government has access to improved data matching and verification capabilities, we have a duty to act when information suggests that eligibility circumstances may have changed.

We must indicate that our grant system has matured over time and integrated with other financial institutions and departments to a point where through data verification and validation process the agency flagged over 420 000 in 2025/26 up for reviews, over 240 000 completed reviews and about 160 000 failed to review. For 2026/27 we are targeting to review over 350 000 projecting to save about R1,5b for the government fiscus which can be redirected to fund other government priorities

Tackling fraud in the grant system

Our biometric verification programme has significantly strengthened identity authentication for new applications and grant reviews especially since it also interfaces with systems of the Department of Home Affairs on real-time basis. This technology helped prevent identity theft, duplicate claims and other forms of fraud that undermine public confidence in the system, including that more people are being arrested for committing fraud in the grant system.

The fight against fraud in the social grant system is also continuing through implementing eLife Certification as proof of life for our beneficiaries. Through e-Life Certification, beneficiaries are increasingly able to verify their continued existence and eligibility through secure digital processes.

This intervention is particularly important for older persons, persons with disabilities and beneficiaries living in remote areas who may struggle to travel to a SASSA office. We call upon clients to make use of digital platforms to avoid long queues at different offices.

IMPROVING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

In addressing the community needs, reducing long queues and concerns, we are committing to leverage on the digital front to make services more convenient, more secure and more accessible.

We have launched a modernisation programme which includes expansion of digital service channels including enhanced online platforms (WhatsAPP, MobileAPP) for grant applications and broader digital service options to avoid our people visiting SASSA office. We are also in the process of adding more capacity to SASSA offices to ease the pressure of those offices that are understaffed and have more influx.

More than 1,000 contract workers are being recruited across the country to provide additional frontline support, assist with beneficiary enquiries, process applications and reviews, and reduce waiting times at service points, this will include extending operating hours in SASSA offices to enable more clients to be served. Our intention of restoring respect and dignity to those older persons is found in our policy of Home Visit to the clients that are older than 75 years and those frailed to avoid them visiting SASSA offices.

CONCLUSION

As I conclude, members of the media let me thank you for the continuous collaboration in ensuring that we educate our people. We are reminded that social protection remains one of the most powerful tools available to governments to reduce poverty and support vulnerable households, with this we shall not fail our clients.

As the Minister of Social Development, I want to assure every eligible beneficiary that government remains committed to safeguarding social grants and continuously improving the systems through which they are delivered. I will be visiting some offices in the next few days across provinces to monitor the implementation of these interventions, will be intensifying our engagement with communities to listen more on what and where they want us to improve, I will reach out to all stakeholders as well so that we don’t leave anyone behind.

These interventions will assist in restoring dignity and respect to the people who consider social assistance as their lifeline and achieving remains non-negotiable. 

Together, we are building a stronger, smarter and more secure social protection system, one that protects public resources, empowers beneficiaries and upholds the dignity of every South African.

Pretoria, 15 July 2026 – The Minister of Social Development, Ms Dina Pule, will on Friday, 17 July 2026, lead an Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) at Daggakraal 3 Sports Ground in the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality, Mpumalanga.

The ICROP is one of the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) flagship service delivery initiatives, aimed at bringing essential government and social services directly to communities. The programme reduces travel costs, minimises waiting times and provides a wide range of services under one roof. It also ensures that government and stakeholder services are more accessible, responsive and citizen-centred.

The Ministerial service delivery outreach takes place during Mandela Month, one day before International Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July 2026, under the theme: "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity." The outreach is aimed at strengthening the scale and impact of government's initiatives that contribute to poverty alleviation, social justice and community development. It also provides a platform for direct engagement between government, communities and stakeholders on matters affecting poor and vulnerable communities.

The outreach further forms part of SASSA's 20th Anniversary celebrations, marking two decades of providing social assistance and advancing social protection for millions of vulnerable South Africans. The engagement presents an opportunity not only to celebrate this important milestone but also to reaffirm government's commitment to bringing services closer to the people and strengthening service delivery.

In recognition of Mandela Month, particular emphasis will be placed on poverty alleviation, skills development, entrepreneurship, support for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, alongside other programmes aimed at promoting social cohesion.

Through ICROP, the Department of Social Development, together with its entities—SASSA and the National Development Agency (NDA)—as well as various government departments and stakeholder partners, will provide a range of on-site services, including:

•            Social grant applications and enquiries;

•            Employment, skills development and career guidance opportunities;

•            Information on bursaries, student funding, learnerships and entrepreneurship support programmes;

•            Social work services and referrals;

•            Support services for victims of gender-based violence and substance abuse;

•            Civil society organisation registration and support services from the NDA; and

•            A wide range of services from participating government departments, state entities, civil society organisations and private-sector stakeholders.

Minister Pule will be joined by the Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development, Ms Nompumelelo Hlophe, as well as municipal and traditional leadership from the area. Ahead of the main programme, the delegation will visit local community development initiatives.

The outreach will include a community engagement session, providing an opportunity for the Minister, government representatives, stakeholders and community members to engage directly on issues affecting the community. This will be followed by the on-site delivery of services by representatives from participating government departments and stakeholder organisations.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the programme as follows:

SASSA ICROP PROGRAMME

Time:   08:00 – 14:30

Venue: Daggakraal 3 Sports Ground, Ward 11, Daggakraal, Mpumalanga

                     Province

GPS coordinates: -27.117°S, 29.967°E

Media confirmations can be forwarded to Mr Andile Tshona on 073 566 3345/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms Lesego Ranchu on 073 547 2800 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Mr Senzeni Ngubeni, Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing, SASSA Mpumalanga Region on 078 160 1609 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms Sandy Godlwana, Chief Director: Communication, Department of Social Development on 082 678 5634 /  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow us on social media:

📍 X (Twitter): @OfficialSASSA | @The_DSD | @nda_rsa

📍 Facebook: SASSA News, SocialDevelopmentZA, National Development Agency

      –NDA| 

📍 Instagram: @SASSA10_ZA

Members of the media are invited to attend a media briefing by the newly appointed Minister of Social Development, Ms Dina Pule, who will outline her vision and priorities for strengthening South Africa's social development sector.

The Minister will provide an overview of the Department's strategic direction, including measures to improve service delivery, enhance governance and accountability, strengthen collaboration across the social development sector, and ensure that social assistance continues to reach eligible beneficiaries in an efficient, transparent and dignified manner.

The briefing will also address the implementation of the social grants review process. The Minister will reaffirm government's commitment to ensuring that social grants are administered fairly, in accordance with the Social Assistance Act, while safeguarding public resources through regular reviews that verify continued eligibility for social assistance.

Members of the media will have an opportunity to engage with the Minister during a question-and-answer session following the briefing.

Details of the media briefing are as follows:

Date:                  Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Venue:              Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Ground Floor, Tshedimosetso House,

Corner Francis Baard and Festival Streets, Hatfield

Time: 14h00

Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to confirm their attendance with: Andile Tshona on 073 566 3345 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Precious Mupenzi on 083 715 0034 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

For enquiries contact: SASSA National Spokesperson, Mr Paseka Letsatsi on 082 883 9969/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Department of Social Development Head of Communication, Ms Sandy Godlwana on 082 678 5634 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,

Rustenburg, 08 July 2026: The Minister of Social Development, Ms Dina Pule, has implored the youth never to give up, but instead to invest their energies in making a difference for the country and future generations.

Minister Pule made these remarks while addressing the first day of a three-day Youth Summit currently underway at Orion Safari Lodge in Rustenburg, North West Province.

"Even when you fall due to social ills and other challenges, you must never give up but keep trying until you make things right. Your destiny is not determined by your current circumstances, but by how you rise to greater heights," said Minister Pule.

Addressing the youth, the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Mr Themba Matlou, outlined that SASSA seeks to move young people from dependency to becoming contributors to the main economy. This, he said, can be achieved when young people use their R370 SRD Grant to start businesses. Youth-led cooperatives should be established and led by young people, as there are many opportunities, including school uniform projects that can be supported by SASSA.

Under the theme, "Economic Uprising for the Next 50 Years: Partnerships for Skills, Jobs, and Youth Development," the Youth Summit encouraged young people to channel their energies into meaningful efforts aimed at empowering themselves by taking advantage of opportunities available to them.

Over the next two days, participants will be exposed to various skills and knowledge to empower them. They were also encouraged to shape their own future by networking and visiting exhibition stands for their personal and professional development.

The Chief Director responsible for Youth Development in the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Bernice Hlagala, said that, in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the 1976 Youth, the current generation must use this Summit to draw positive lessons and rise above challenges such as mental health issues, teenage pregnancy and high unemployment.

Dr Hlagala also encouraged young people to pursue scarce skills in fields including the Ocean Economy, Engineering, Construction and Manufacturing.

This year, South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprising, during which young people courageously protested against the compulsory use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools.

Some of these young people sacrificed their lives to plant and nurture the seeds of freedom that culminated in South Africa's historic democracy in 1994.

Aimed at building partnerships by unlocking economic potential and addressing persistent inequalities and social ills, the Summit provides participants with opportunities to learn various skills, including entrepreneurship, skills development and education.

One of the beneficiaries of the INDLELA Youth Partnership, which is funded by the German Development Bank, Mr Tebogo Mogatle from the North West Province, encouraged his peers to stand up and work with their own hands. Tebogo is a young entrepreneur who started a small business and has employed three people.

Mr Buhle Xulu from KwaZulu-Natal said he was able to register the Difference Makers Youth Organisation. Through soft skills training, he enrolled in a Property Maintenance Programme and later focused on digital skills development, through which he trained more than 300 people. Through the National Youth Development Agency, he was also able to represent South African youth in Shanghai, China.

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Sandy Godlwana on 082 678 5634 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..