By Precious Mupenzi

• Parliament’s Committee on Social Development has heard that the Department of Social Development achieved 86% of its planned targets in the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, up from 82% in the previous quarter.
• These results come during a period that the department is facing increasing pressures due to climate-related disasters, economic constraints, and the national crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.
• Minister Sisisi Tolashe also told the committee that progress was being made in capacitating provinces to improve service delivery for older persons, children, teenage parents and persons with disabilities, despite ongoing shortages of social workers.

The Department of Social Development has reported an improvement in its overall performance for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, achieving 86% of its planned targets, up from 82% in the previous quarter.

This was revealed during a virtual briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development, led by the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, and supported by Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, Director-General Peter Netshipale, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO Themba Matlou, and National Development Agency (NDA) Acting CEO Raphaahle Ramokgopa.

Presenting the department’s Second Quarter Performance and Financial Report, covering the period 1 July to 30 September 2025, Minister Tolashe emphasised that the improved performance comes amid growing social pressures driven by climate-related disasters, economic constraints, and the national crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“The impact of climate change is literally at our doorstep,” said the minister, citing record heatwaves, destructive floods, loss of life, displacement of families and disruptions to schooling across several provinces.

She noted that climate change continues to act as a “threat multiplier”, deepening existing social and economic vulnerabilities and placing increased strain on social development services.

Visible leadership during disasters

Minister Tolashe reaffirmed government’s commitment to visible leadership in times of crisis, in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive.

“As a portfolio, we have heeded the president’s call that leadership must be visible and present when communities are in distress,” she said, adding that the department is working closely with provincial departments and partners to provide necessary interventions in affected areas.

GBVF declared a national disaster

The minister welcomed President Ramaphosa’s recent decision to officially classify gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster, describing it as a decisive move that strengthens the mandate of key departments, including social development.

She indicated that the classification will accelerate interventions such as the expansion of shelters for survivors, and enhanced coordination through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF and Substance Abuse, led by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

Parliament will be briefed in detail on these interventions in the coming weeks.

Audit outcomes and corrective action

Addressing governance matters, Minister Tolashe acknowledged the qualified audit opinion received for the 2024/25 financial year, relating mainly to transfers and subsidies administered through SASSA.

She explained that challenges included weaknesses in identifying ineligible beneficiaries and insufficient supporting documentation. In response, the department has developed a comprehensive Audit Action Plan, outlining root causes, corrective controls, implementation timelines, and updates to standard operating procedures.

Strengthening service delivery and policy development

The minister highlighted progress in capacitating provinces to improve service delivery for older persons, children, teenage parents and persons with disabilities, despite ongoing shortages of social workers.

She also noted steady progress in policy development, including work on the Universal Basic Income Grant, which formed part of the committee’s agenda.

Importantly, the department confirmed that all social assistance grant funds for the quarter were transferred to SASSA in line with approved vote drawings, fully meeting targets under its largest programme.

Oversight and adoption of committee programme

The portfolio committee meeting also considered the adoption of outstanding minutes and the draft Fourth Term Committee Programme, reinforcing Parliament’s oversight role over the social development sector.

Minister Tolashe concluded by expressing appreciation for the constructive engagement with the committee and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to serving vulnerable communities.

“It is only through robust engagement with Parliament that we can serve the interests of the people of South Africa,” she said, before handing over to the director-general for a detailed presentation.