• Social Development Repatriates A Toddler From A Senegal Prison

Department of Social Development Leaders

Minister for Social Development
Deputy Minister for Social Development
Mr. Linton Mchunu
Acting: Director General for Social Development

SRD GRANT GAZETTED REGULATION AMENDMENTS

 

26 March 2024, Pretoria: Following the President Cyril Ramaphosa and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement to extend the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu,  published the Amendments to the COVID-19 SRD Regulations in Government Notice No. R. 4466 on 25 March 2024 to provide for the extension of  the benefit to 31 March 2025 as prescribed by Section 32(1) and (2), read with section 13 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No.13 of 2004)

 

Introduced during the COVID-19 global pandemic as part of the Presidential Stimulus Package, the COVID-19 SRD grant has had a meaningful impact on the lives of poor, unemployed, and vulnerable working age individuals; some of whom had lost their jobs and breadwinners.

 

Since its implementation in 2020, this provision has been one of government’s effective interventions and poverty alleviation measures.

 

The grant has led to major reductions in food poverty amongst unemployed working age persons and has reduced the number of people living in extreme poverty.

 

The grant has also enabled individuals to search for formal and informal jobs, even without conditions attached.

 

The amended COVID-19 SRD Regulations seek to:

 

  • amend sub-regulations 5 (1) and (3) to provide for payment of R20.00 increase, bringing the new COVID-19 SRD value to R 370.00 and to allow for extension of the provision from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, as announced by the Minister of Finance in last year’s MTBPS.

 

  • Introduce Regulations 6A on “Recovery and Uncollected benefits”, (6B) on “Death of COVID-19 SRD beneficiary” and (6C) on “Transitional provision” are new insertions aimed at promoting effective and efficient administration of the provision.

 

✓ Regulations 6A empowers the Agency to recover irregular payments, suspend and cancel approved but uncollected benefits within prescribed timeframes if the person fails to respond to the Agency’s request for personal details.

 

✓ Regulation 6B, provides for lapsing of the benefit on the las day of the month in which the beneficiary died.

 

✓ Regulation 6C, seeks to ensure uninterrupted assessments and payments during the transition between the Regulations published on 29 March 2023 and these amendments.

 

A copy of the gazette can be accesses online  at www.gpwonline.co.za or www.dsd.gov.za.

 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mbombela:- Having woken up to persistent drizzle, which had dampened the football pitches, the older persons  soccer players did not allow the slippery weather conditions to dampen their spirits as they held steadfast to the purpose of the games.

 

Noting the lateness of the hour, four teams took to the ground simultaneously, with North West facing Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng tested the resolve of  Limpopo.

 

The highly reduced half from the universal 45 minutes to 25 minutes promised to offer entertainment and thrills galore.

 

In these games, results are never top of the agenda, but the wellness of the golden oldies was the only priority.

 

President Cyril Ramaphosa during his SONA in February announced that the lifespan of South Afrca has increased from 54 years to 65, showing the results of the progressive policies of the democratic government.

 

An increased lifespan calls for the country to plan for an ageing population and reduce the burden of disease.

 

The national department of social development is hosting a two-day sporting festival in Mbombela, preaching active ageing.

 

The town has been abuzz with the grey head, full of pearls of wisdom. They stretched their limbs to keep non-communicable ailments at bay. 

 

Football was not only being played by men,  female  teams were breaking sweat for the same purpose.

 

Active ageing is continuing to build social cohesion while restoring the dignity and rights of older persons.

 

Not only were the older persons playing on the sporting field, others were in dialogue with political leaders and government officials, telling them first-hand how they received services and how the  Older Persons Act was implemented.

 

Leaving nothing behind, the older persons told Minister Lindiwe Zulu and the MECs of social development the following:

 

  1. They need access to older persons diapers
  2. Dignity when collecting their grants
  3. No queues when collecting their medication
  4. An end to the means test on the old age grant
  5. Increased home based care
  6. Protection against communities who kill them accusing them of witchcraft while they have dementia.
  7. Decent housing
  8. They were at pains describing to Minister how they were turned away by departments for funding due to their age while they have a passion for farming and agriculture
  9. They appealed to the Minister of police when segregating the crime statistics that he must single out the sexual violence against older persons.
  10. They asked from the Minister of justice and correctional services to assist them by making the courts more friendly and dignified.

While they spoke of their challenges, older persons were very appreciative of what in the last 30 years, the democratic government has done for them.

 

Those who could not join in the sporting activities, they showcased their talents through music and dance.

 

Minister Zulu responded and said: “The Active Ageing Programme is one of the key highlights on the DSD calendar as it brings together older persons across the country in a spirit of solidarity and friendship. This year‘a active ageing programme coincides with the National Human Rights month in order for the importance of the human rights of older persons to be protected. In our country the population of older persons is steadily growing owing to the increase in life expectancy and we must continue to advocate for their rights.”

 

Minister Zulu was joined by the MECs of social development from the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.

 

The program continues tomorrow at Hoerskool Nelspruit from 8:00.

 

The proceedings will be live on www.dsdtv.org.za AND for more stories on www.dsdnews.org.za

 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Media enquiries may be directed to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pretoria, 19 March 2024: In commemorating World Social Work Day which, this year, unfolds under the theme: “Shared Future for Transformative Change,” the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, wishes all social workers a happy Social Work Day.

 

This day emphasises the need for social workers to adopt innovative, people-centred and community-led interventions that are grounded in indigenous wisdom and harmonious co-existence.

 

The Department of Social Development appreciates the significant role social workers play in the country and in communities.

 

The department supports the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) body for raising awareness about climate change on the quality of life and livelihoods of communities. There have been extreme weather conditions leading to floods and displacement of vulnerable communities across the world and some provinces in the country and social workers and social auxiliary workers were always at the forefront of responding to the needs of communities. They provided psychosocial support to enable those in distress to cope with the difficult circumstances.

 

Additionally, our country is still recovering from the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, violence against older persons, women and children, substance abuse and poor socio-economic conditions, which lead to family dysfunction and community unrests. 

 

Social Work Day is always a reminder to the social work professionals and social auxiliary workers of their importance and the critical need for the services they provide to communities.

 

The department recognises that the social work profession is a critical skill which is required by the country to implement social work approaches, techniques and skills and key legislative frameworks guiding responses and interventions for a variety of social ills and vulnerabilities.

 

World Social Work Day affords key stakeholders to recognise social work as an essential profession for the efficient delivery of integrated quality and ethical developmental services that they deliver.

 

Government appreciates various departments and sector partners’ participation in global engagements which continually develop the social work profession thus ensuring its responsiveness to emerging psycho-socio-economic problems requiring the knowledge, theory and practice in the field of social work.

 

Government is aware of the non-absorption of social workers by government. In response to this, Cabinet approved the Sector Strategy for the Employment of Social Service Practitioners.

 

Once implemented, this strategy will result in an increase in the number of social workers and social auxiliary workers in the country being employed and assist with the achievement of the target of 55 000 Social Service Practitioners (SSPs)  by 2030.

 

As part of addressing the country’s growing social ills, government departments including the Department of Social Development has, to date, employed 18 366 social workers.

 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

March is Human Rights Month in South Africa and the Department of Social Development, will in collaboration with the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF), promote the rights of older persons through dialogue and sporting activities in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

 

South Africa will this year commemorate Human Rights Month under the theme: “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights”; and President Cyril Ramaphosa will this year commemorate  Human Rights Day on 21 March 2024, at the George Thabe Stadium, in Sharpeville, Gauteng.

 

In choosing to concentrate on the human rights of older persons, the department is trying to encourage the country to respect the human rights of older persons as enshrined in the Constitution. The active ageing programme is a platform to inform older persons about their rights; establish cooperation with government so that older persons’ rights, concerns, needs are identified, voiced, and addressed.

 

Statistics South Africa’s publication titled: “The Social Profile of Older Persons, 2017 - 2021, states that between 2002 and 2022, there has been a rise in life expectancy.

 

During the State of the Nation Address in February, President Ramaphosa announced that: “life expectancy has increased from 54 years in 2003 to 65 years in 2023. Maternal and infant deaths have declined dramatically.”

  

According to the 2022 Census report, the country’s older persons population was estimated at 5.6 million. The 2022 Census report shows an increase in the number of older persons across all provinces, with highest number of the older population being in Gauteng at 1,4 million and KwaZulu-Natal at 940 000.

This is an indication that South Africa is becoming an ageing society which is not immune from the burden of disease, that can cause disability due to an increase in old age-related chronic diseases.

In a few decades, the loss of health and life worldwide will be greater from non-communicable or chronic diseases, such as, Cardiovascular disease, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Cancer, Arthritis, and Diabetes among others.

 

In South Africa older persons are also faced with numerous challenges including, Gender Based Violence and Femicide. They are often deprived from enjoying their old age as they are often forced to take care of orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren.

 

Under the theme: “Leaving No One Behind during the Decade of Healthy Ageing;” the active ageing programme seeks to improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of older persons by instilling dignity, peer social integration, as well as promotion of senior citizens’ voices and the creation of awareness concerning their ability to express themselves through dialogue, music, sport, and recreational activities.

 

On the first day, the active ageing Programme, will unfold through an interactive dialogue wherein older persons will find space and opportunity to participate in a democratic manner by independently expressing themselves on how they would like to be treated by authorities and society.

 

Amongst other topics, they will also reflect on the role of Traditional Leadership in the Promotion and Protection of the rights of Older Persons, Family Care and Support.

 

Older persons will also participate in various sporting activities including, amongst others soccer and athletics which are also an essential component of Active Ageing Programme.

 

All government departments, tasked with the implementation of the Older Persons Act will be part of the proceedings.

 

 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Active Ageing Programme Dialogue and Golden Games planned as follows:

 

Date:    21 - 22 March 2024

Time:   10h00

Venue: 1 Cameron Street, Hoerskool Nelspruit, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province  

 

Virtual: www.dsdtv.org.za

 

Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yesterday, 10 March 2024, social workers of the department of social development  arrived at OR Tambo International Airport with a two-year-old baby repatriated from a Dakar prison in Senegal.

 

The toddler was born in Senegal and has been in the care of the  mother who was arrested last year in that country for drug trafficking.

 

The department was notified by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) through its International  Social Services (ISS) Directorate in August 2023, that the biological mother of the child was arrested last year February.

 

It is reported that within days of her incarceration, she gave birth to the child. 

 

Due to the mother’s incarceration, the child is considered to be in distress since a prison is not a conducive environment for the upbringing of the child.

 

The government of South Africa through DIRCO initiated the process of repatriating the child by first visiting the mother to ascertain her wishes about her child. 

 

The mother nominated the grandmother of the child as the guardian in the country while she serves her sentence in Senegal.

 

The national department of social development then requested the Eastern Cape department of social development to investigate the circumstances of the nominated foster parent to assess suitability to care for the child.

 

The child will be integrated with the  mother's family in the Eastern Cape and the department will continue providing child protection services and provide support to the family.

 

Since 2015 the  department has repatriated 21 children who were distressed in foreign countries. 

 

The department is obligated by Section 7, subsection (1), (f), (ii), of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 that a child needs to maintain a connection with their family, extended family, culture, or tradition and all decisions must be made in the best interest of the child. 

 

Social development minister, Ms Lindiwe Zulu said: “The department will always put the best interest of the child first, however, we remain concerned about the issue of drugs and what it can do to children.

 

This was an unborn baby who ended up in distress in a foreign country because the mother was arrested for trafficking drugs. We cannot stress more the importance of young people to make the right decisions about their lives.”

 

 

Since 2015, the department has repatriated 21 children in distress in foreign countries.

 

Repatriated children by country:

 

Brazil 3

Malawi 2

Mozambique 2

Zimbabwe 7

Ghana 1

UK 1

Peru 1

Mauritius 1

Canada 2

Senegal 1

Tanzania 2

 

TOTAL 21 

 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Warm regards,

 

Internal Communication