SASSA SHARES SOUTH AFRICA’S SOCIAL GRANTS MODEL WITH UGANDAN DELEGATION

By Precious Mupenzi.

• The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has shared best practices with a delegation from Uganda that is on a week-long benchmarking visit to South Africa.
• The bilateral engagement is led by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, alongside Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Asamo Helen Grace.
• ⁠The general manager for Grants Operations at SASSA, Fanie Sethokga, shared information about the agency’s legislative mandate and the social grants value chain.

As part of a study visit to South Africa by a delegation from Uganda, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) showcased the country’s social assistance and disability grant management system to the delegation in Pretoria on 7 October 2025.

The engagement formed part of a week-long benchmarking visit jointly led by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Social Development (DSD).

Leading the Social Development delegation was Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks, alongside his Ugandan counterpart, Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Asamo Helen Grace.

The session sought to strengthen collaboration and exchange experiences on social protection systems, disability inclusion, and citizen-centred service delivery across the continent.

Presenting on behalf of SASSA, Fanie Sethokga, General Manager for Grants Operations, outlined the agency’s legislative mandate and the social grants value chain, which spans from application to payment.

He noted that SASSA operates under the Social Assistance Act and the South African Social Security Agency Act, ensuring that social assistance is distributed fairly, efficiently, and transparently.

“SASSA operates within a clear legislative framework that guarantees targeted support for vulnerable groups while promoting accountability and service excellence in social assistance delivery,” said Sethokga.

SASSA continues to improve access and efficiency through innovations such as the Online Application Gateway, which allows remote submission of disability grant applications, he explained.

The system enhances accessibility, reduces waiting times, and ensures that clients, particularly persons with disabilities, are served with dignity and care.

Sethokga also highlighted ongoing policy developments aimed at strengthening the disability support framework within the social protection system.

He explained that the DSD is currently finalising a comprehensive Disability Policy, which will guide consistent assessment, care, and support for persons with disabilities.

In addition, he noted that discussions are underway on the unification of the Care Dependency Grant and Disability Grant to ensure a more streamlined and inclusive approach to social assistance.

“These policy reforms demonstrate our commitment to building an integrated system that provides equitable, dignified, and sustainable support for persons with disabilities throughout their life stages,” said Sethokga.

SASSA’s impact and commitment to service excellence have also earned the agency international recognition. In 2023, SASSA received the International Social Security Association Good Practice Award for Social Security in Africa, competing among 138 entries from 48 member institutions across more than 30 countries.

This accolade positioned South Africa as a beacon of hope and a model of best practice for other African nations striving to build inclusive and effective social protection systems.

Sethokga emphasised that SASSA’s success is built on strategic partnerships with entities such as the departments of Home Affairs, Health, and National Treasury, which enable integrated data verification, efficient payments, and fraud prevention.

While reflecting on achievements, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as outdated identity documentation (green ID books) and the need for improved data integration across government systems.

He noted that a significant portion of fraud cases in the country are linked to the continued use of green ID books, underscoring the importance of modernising identification systems to strengthen verification and safeguard the integrity of social grant administration.

The Ugandan delegation commended South Africa’s advanced social protection model and expressed interest in adopting similar practices to strengthen social assistance delivery in Uganda.

Deputy Minister Hendricks reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to knowledge sharing and continental cooperation in the field of social development.

“This engagement reflects our shared vision of creating inclusive societies where no one is left behind. The lessons we exchange today contribute to building stronger systems that protect and empower our people,” said Hendricks.

The engagement forms part of the DSD’s ongoing efforts to promote knowledge exchange and capacity building within the African region, in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.