A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO ERADICATE POVERTY

Cuma Pantshwa 

• Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, at a roundtable discussion in Cape Town, reinforced the Department of Social Development’s commitment to tackling poverty and inequality, emphasising the event’s significance during Social Development Month.
• Hendricks outlined the department’s approach to transition social grant beneficiaries from dependency to self-reliance by connecting them to sustainable livelihood opportunities and support systems.
• Stressing the need for partnership among government, private sector, and civil society, Hendricks urged stakeholders to prioritise skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change.

Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks opened his keynote address at the Sustainable Livelihoods Roundtable Discussion in Cape Town by underscoring the Department of Social Development’s commitment to addressing the enduring challenges of poverty and inequality. He highlighted the significance of holding this event in October, Social Development Month, noting that the department has organised activities nationwide throughout the month, culminating in this impactful roundtable discussion.

“This roundtable on linking social protection beneficiaries to sustainable livelihood opportunities is central to our efforts to eradicate poverty and promote social development,” stated Deputy Minister Hendricks.

Emphasising social protection as both a constitutional right and a key tool for uplifting South Africans, the Deputy Minister reiterated the National Development Plan’s (NDP) 2030 vision, which prioritises eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. He called for collaborative efforts among government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders to achieve these aims.

He focused on empowering vulnerable communities, particularly women and youth, stressing the importance of equipping people to shift from grant dependency to self-reliance through comprehensive support systems that foster sustainable livelihoods.

Explaining the background of this engagement, the Deputy Minister introduced the Department’s Poverty Alleviation, Sustainable Livelihoods, Food, and Nutrition Security programme, which initiated a developmental social protection system through the Framework on Linking Social Protection Beneficiaries to Sustainable Livelihoods Opportunities. This framework aims to bolster income, assets, and skills among vulnerable groups, including Child Support Grant recipients, Social Relief Grant beneficiaries, and individuals involved in sustainable economic activities.

Underlining early successes, Deputy Minister Hendricks shared that of the 370 participants in the pilot project, 70% expressed interest in entrepreneurship, while 30% sought employment. “Progress has been made in social protection, empowerment, livelihood promotion, and financial inclusion,” he noted.

In closing, the Deputy Minister urged stakeholders to foster partnerships that support skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion initiatives, reinforcing the need for effective implementation of the Framework on Linking Social Protection Beneficiaries to Sustainable Livelihoods Opportunities. He emphasised that these discussions are critical for strengthening South Africa’s social protection system and empowering social grant beneficiaries. Reaffirming the department’s commitment, he concluded, “Together, we will work toward sustainable solutions for poverty eradication and the empowerment of social protection beneficiaries in South Africa.”