SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW VOLUME 2, ADDRESSING COVID-19’S LASTING IMPACT ON VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

By Precious Mupenzi

• The Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), has launched the second volume of the Social Security Review, titled “Social Security in the Time of COVID-19,” which explores the lessons learned from the pandemic and innovative strategies to enhance resilience in South Africa’s social security systems.
• Acting Director-General Mr. Peter Netshipale emphasised the essential role of social security in addressing the socio-economic challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, focusing on expanding access for vulnerable groups such as informal workers and unemployed adults.
• The publication serves as a vital resource for policymakers, offering comprehensive insights into the vulnerabilities revealed by the pandemic and proposing pathways for strengthening social security systems to better withstand future crises.

The Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), today launched the second volume of the Social Security Review in Cape Town. Titled “Social Security in the Time of COVID-19,” the publication delves into the important lessons learned from the pandemic, highlighting innovative strategies for building resilience in South Africa’s social security systems.

The Acting Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Mr. Peter Netshipale, set the tone by underscoring the vital role of social security in countering the socio-economic challenges heightened by COVID-19. He emphasised the publication’s focus on expanding social security access and deepening policy insights, especially to aid vulnerable groups such as informal workers, migrants, and unemployed adults.

“South Africa is a developing country that has adopted a developmental agenda,” Mr. Netshipale said. “Social security is key to creating a conducive environment for effective poverty alleviation programmes and promoting sustainable livelihoods. As we launch Volume 2 of the Social Security Review, we draw from this comprehensive research to deepen our understanding of social security’s benefits amid the rising challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Netshipale also reflected on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the introduction of a R500 billion socio-economic relief package that brought innovative support measures, such as top-up grants and the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of R350 for unemployed adults.

“This theme demonstrates the resilience of social security systems during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the ways we can strengthen them to deal with future crises,” he added. He extended gratitude to the DSD’s project team, led by Deputy Director-General Brenda Sibeko, the HSRC editorial team, and the authors, recognising their collective commitment to advancing social protection knowledge.

Joining Mr. Netshipale, Mr. Stewart Ngandu from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) highlighted the collaborative effort in producing this volume, which was built on an open call for papers that captured diverse perspectives on critical social security topics. Ngandu, speaking on behalf of the HSRC editorial team, said, “The pandemic posed unprecedented socio-economic challenges, particularly for developing countries like South Africa. This volume addresses the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic and proposes pathways for resilience and recovery.”

Ngandu elaborated on the breadth of topics covered, including digital technology applications such as blockchain, the complexities of social security access for migrant and informal sector workers, food security, and the need for innovative sustainable financing models. He acknowledged the dedication of over 30 contributing authors and 24 peer reviewers, noting that their rigorous research presents a valuable tool for policymakers.

“This volume showcases the strides South Africa has made in expanding social protection, even amidst fiscal constraints. It serves as a crucial resource for those shaping social protection policies, especially in light of the challenges posed by the pandemic,” Ngandu stated. “Looking ahead, our commitment is to extend the reach of this knowledge. We will collaborate with the Department of Social Development and other partners to widely disseminate these findings, aiming to inform and inspire further action and dialogue.”

Representatives from key partners such as National Treasury, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, UNICEF, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the National Development Agency (NDA), and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) were present, reflecting the wide-ranging support for the Review’s themes and goals.

The Social Security Review Volume 2 stands as a pivotal resource, capturing the pandemic’s impact on social security and reinforcing the country’s commitment to an inclusive, resilient future. Through its insightful analyses and policy recommendations, the publication aims to inspire ongoing efforts to “build back better,” ensuring that South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens are supported and empowered.