MINISTER TOLASHE BRIEFS THE NATION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS AND KEY REFORMS

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa’s Department of Social Development is entering a new era of leadership and accountability, following a decisive reshuffle and policy acceleration led by Minister Sisisi Tolashe.
• Speaking at the National Press Club, the Minister outlined her department’s immediate priorities, from grant stability and child protection to GBV response and public sector reform.
• ⁠Her message was clear: the department is focused on restoring public trust, protecting the vulnerable, and enhancing service delivery across all social development entities.

PRETORIA – Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to stabilising the Department of Social Development (DSD) and its entities, following recent leadership changes and targeted reforms in response to South Africa’s pressing social challenges.
Speaking at the National Press Club on Friday, 6 June 2025, Minister Tolashe was joined by the newly appointed Director-General of Social Development, Mr Peter Netshipale, and the new SASSA CEO, Mr Themba Matlou. Together, they outlined recent achievements and forward-looking priorities for the 2025 financial year.
“At the centre of our work is changing the lives of the poor for the better and dealing decisively with the social ills facing our communities,” Minister Tolashe said.

Key Priorities for 2025

Among the top priorities, Minister Tolashe highlighted:
•⁠ ⁠Leadership stabilisation at both DSD and SASSA;
•⁠ ⁠Expanded child, elderly, and disability protection services;
•⁠ ⁠A responsive disaster framework to support vulnerable households.
She also confirmed that the draft Basic Income Support policy proposal had been submitted to the Social Cluster Forum and Cabinet. “This is a necessary step toward a more sustainable solution to poverty,” she noted.
Further focus areas include:
•⁠ ⁠Recruitment of social workers to address GBV, substance abuse, and youth challenges;
•⁠ ⁠Re-establishing the GBV Command Centre;
•⁠ ⁠Enhancing employment opportunities through EPWP and social entrepreneurship;
•⁠ ⁠Finalising a digitised NPO registration platform to reduce administrative burdens while strengthening compliance.
The department also plans to build stronger public-private partnerships to stretch limited resources and increase the social impact of development programmes.

Social Grant Continuity and SASSA Leadership

Minister Tolashe confirmed the continuation of the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, following the publication of draft regulations in March 2025. She praised Cabinet’s concurrence in appointing senior officials to key posts, including the DG, CFO, DDG for Welfare Services, and multiple regional managers.
On the ongoing transition from gold cards to black Postbank cards, the Minister thanked the South African Reserve Bank for granting an extension to assist the remaining 980,000 recipients and urged beneficiaries not to delay in updating their cards.

Strengthening Civil Society Oversight

Minister Tolashe emphasised efforts to safeguard the non-profit sector, referencing a recent three-day symposium on FATF Recommendation 8, which addressed anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing in NPOs. She praised the National Development Agency (NDA) for hosting a civil society conference and confirmed the deployment of a senior official as Acting CEO to stabilise NDA leadership.

Flagship Programmes and Children’s Voices

Several flagship interventions were highlighted:
•⁠ ⁠Golden Games for Older Persons, promoting active ageing across all nine provinces;
•⁠ ⁠National Child Dialogues, where children drafted their own declaration against abuse, feeding into the proposed seventh pillar of the GBVF Plan;
•⁠ ⁠African Children’s Summit, co-hosted with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, resulting in a continental Outcome Statement formally adopted in Lesotho.
The Minister also praised the launch of Child Protection Month in Thaba Nchu, co-hosted with Her Royal Highness Kgosi Gauboilelwe Boo Seleka and the Free State Provincial Government.

Bold Response to Gender-Based Violence

Minister Tolashe reaffirmed DSD’s intensified response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) following President Ramaphosa’s declaration of GBVF as a second pandemic. A special JCPS Cluster meeting held in April 2025 resulted in a 90-Day Acceleration Plan and the establishment of a GBVF Priority Committee within NATJOINTS.
She condemned the brutal murder of young Olorato Mongale, welcomed the swift arrest of suspects, and praised recent life sentences handed down in the cases of Joslin Smith and Sibongile Mankayi. She noted that placing these offenders on the Child Protection Register reinforces the importance of safeguarding siblings and survivors.
“These sentences send a strong message: the justice system will not be lenient on those who take innocent lives,” she said.

Closing Message of Service and Resolve

Minister Tolashe concluded her briefing by reaffirming DSD’s mandate to serve with compassion and purpose.
“We are here to serve the people of South Africa with integrity, compassion, and commitment,” she said. “I thank the leaders who initiated and continue to support this platform for public accountability.”