PULE WELCOMES BUDGET BOOST FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AND SOCIAL GRANTS

By DSD News

• Government will spend R3.8 billion to recruit more than 3 500 social workers to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
• Social grants, which reach 18.1 million South Africans, will continue to be funded, protecting the social wage for vulnerable households.
• Sexual offences courts will grow from 55 to 101, and Thuthuzela Care Centres from 72 to 80, by 2028/29.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Dina Pule, has welcomed the commitments made by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, in the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), saying they will strengthen social protection and the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Chief among the announcements was an allocation of R3.8 billion to recruit more than 3 500 social workers to help tackle GBVF, alongside government’s continued commitment to protecting the social wage.

Speaking in Pretoria on Thursday, 22 October 2026, Minister Pule said the announcements reinforced the Department of Social Development’s mandate to protect vulnerable individuals and families, address poverty and inequality, and improve access to essential social services.

More social workers on the front line

The additional social workers are expected to strengthen prevention, early intervention and psychosocial support services, particularly in communities with high levels of violence against women and children.

Minister Pule noted that the Department had already laid the groundwork for a stronger social workforce through its Employment Strategy, which Cabinet approved on 28 February 2024. The strategy provides a framework for expanding employment opportunities for social workers, improving social service delivery and increasing government’s capacity to respond to social challenges, including GBVF.

She said the new allocation offered an important opportunity to accelerate the implementation of the strategy and to increase the number of social workers available to serve vulnerable individuals, families and communities.
“Social workers are at the forefront of protecting vulnerable individuals and families.

This investment builds on the work we have already undertaken through the Employment Strategy and will strengthen our ability to provide timely interventions, support survivors and ensure that women and children have access to the care and protection they deserve,” said Minister Pule.

The Minister also welcomed several complementary investments, including R186 million to strengthen forensic and investigative capacity, the expansion of sexual offences courts from 55 to 101, and an increase in Thuthuzela Care Centres from 72 to 80 by 2028/29.

These interventions support the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (2020–2030). The Department of Social Development leads Pillar Four of the plan, which covers response, care, support and healing, and focuses on ensuring that victims and survivors of GBVF receive comprehensive, coordinated and survivor-centred support.

Social grants remain a lifeline

Of particular significance to the Department is the continued funding of social grants, including the old-age, disability and child support grants, which benefit 18.1 million South Africans.

“Social grants remain a lifeline for millions of vulnerable households. They provide essential income support, protect children, restore dignity and help families meet their basic needs. Protecting the social wage is therefore critical to our commitment to building a caring and inclusive society,” said Minister Pule.

She reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to working with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the National Development Agency (NDA), provincial departments and social partners to ensure that these investments bring meaningful improvements to the lives of South Africans.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that these budget commitments translate into accessible services, stronger families and safer communities. We remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that no one is left behind,” concluded Minister Pule.