SOCIAL ASSISTANCE – ONE OF SA’S MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS AGAINST POVERTY AND INEQUALITY

By Precious Mupenzi.

• South Africa’s social assistance has the power to change lives.
• The chief director for social assistance in the Department of Social Development, Dr Maureen Mogotsi has been one of the steady hands shaping South Africa’s most powerful instrument in the fight against poverty.
• This Women’s Month, the department celebrates Dr Mogotsi not only for her professional achievements but also for the passion and dedication she brings to her work.

For Dr Maureen Mogotsi social assistance is not simply a description of her work, it has the power to change lives – it is about that child who does not go to bed hungry, the older person who lives with dignity, and the family that survives hardship.

As chief director for social assistance in the Department of Social Development, Dr Mogotsi has been one of the steady hands shaping South Africa’s most powerful instrument in the fight against poverty.

Today, nations around the world look to this system as a model of resilience and innovation.

Her contribution to the recently published book Public institutional practices: Building a democratic adaptive state in South Africa reflects both the challenges and achievements of government in advancing social protection.

Published by the National School of Government, the book brings together case studies authored by subject experts within the public sector.

Dr Mogotsi’s chapter, focusing on social assistance, gives a rare insider perspective on how this programme has evolved into one of the country’s most effective tools against poverty and inequality.

This Women’s Month, the Department of Social Development celebrates Dr Mogotsi not only for her professional achievements but also for the passion and dedication she brings to her work.

Colleagues say her face lights up when she speaks about social assistance, a visible sign of her commitment and a living symbol of the Batho Pele spirit of service.

Giving government a voice

Dr Mogotsi says her motivation to contribute was driven by the need to ensure government’s perspective was clearly heard.

“The Department of Social Development is a lead department in the development and implementation of the social assistance programme.”

She points out that many countries visit the department to learn from South Africa’s experiences.

Although studies have proven the programme’s impact on beneficiaries’ socioeconomic conditions, the voice of the department and government in general regarding the impact of the programme is seldom heard, she notes.

“The article was motivated by the need to give a narrative about the challenges we had to navigate as well as the successes from the department and government perspective.”

The story of social assistance

Her case study examines a wide range of grants, from the Child Support Grant and the Foster Child Grant to the Older Person’s Grant, the Disability Grant, the War Veterans Grant, and the more recent Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress.

It highlights how these grants have improved access to health, education, housing, and other vital services, while also documenting their expansion over time.

From fragmented, racially discriminatory practices, social assistance in South Africa has evolved to a more expansive, rights-based system.

“The introduction of the Child Support Grant in 1998 to replace the State Maintenance Grant was a turning point. The Child Support Grant represents the government’s most successful intervention in tackling poverty and vulnerability, reducing the country’s poverty gap by nearly half.”

Policy shifts and innovations

Dr Mogotsi attributes the success of South Africa’s social assistance system to several important shifts and innovations.

The phased expansion of grants, particularly the introduction of the Child Support Grant top-up for orphans in family care and the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress, ensured that vulnerable groups were prioritised.

The centralisation of policy and administration through the creation of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gave the system uniformity and stability, allowing SASSA to service more than 26 million beneficiaries every month.

Dr Mogotsi emphasises the importance of research and evidence in shaping reforms.

Studies conducted by government and civil society demonstrated the wide-ranging impact of grants, creating the foundation for policy adjustments.

At the same time, better coordination across government departments ensured a more integrated approach to social protection.

Above all, Dr Mogotsi believes the political will of the ruling party and Cabinet to expand social assistance has been the most decisive factor in its growth.

However, while she is proud of these milestones, Dr Mogotsi warns that challenges remain.

“South Africa’s social assistance programme faces significant gaps, particularly in extending permanent support to the unemployed and vulnerable pregnant women.

“Persistent poverty, unemployment and inequality mean income support remains one of the most effective tools for improving the well-being of the poor.”

Women in leadership

Reflecting on her career, Dr Mogotsi acknowledges the barriers women continue to face in public service.

“Leadership is never easy.

“For women, the journey often comes with additional challenges; imposter syndrome, gender stereotypes, work-life balance issues, and the glass ceiling.”

She acknowledges that some strides have been made in Cabinet and certain political offices but is equally aware that challenges remain in achieving gender parity.

“As my late mom used to say, Momo, keep pushing, you will eventually earn the reward.”

She believes women’s contributions are essential to building an adaptive and democratic state.

“Women’s unique perspectives foster inclusive governance, promote social cohesion, and lead to more effective policies. But women often have to work twice as hard to be afforded the same opportunities.”

Her advice to young women in public service is clear.

She encourages them to apply for bursaries to further their studies, reminding them that obtaining an undergraduate degree should not be the limit. Investing in education, she says, is important not for anyone else, but for themselves.

Towards an adaptive state

For Dr Mogotsi, building an adaptive state means combining practice with reflection.

“Practice alone is not enough. It must be coupled with documentation and shared insight. This way, public administration is strengthened through honest accounts of what has worked, what has not, and what can be done differently. These narratives build a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the state.”

She stresses that intergovernmental and cross-sector collaboration is critical to ensuring social assistance remains responsive. South Africa’s lessons, particularly its political will and evidence-based policymaking, offer valuable insights for other countries building social protection systems.

A personal legacy

Looking back, Dr Mogotsi says her proudest achievement is knowing that millions of children have food on their tables.

“I sleep well when I know that no child is sleeping on an empty stomach. I am grateful that I have played a role in the expansion of the programme over the years. However, there is still a long way to go.”

As South Africa contemplates its future, she believes the time has come to invest in more comprehensive social protection, including Basic Income Support.

“Basic Income Support is not a technocratic fix or short-term relief mechanism. It is a generational policy opportunity to redefine the relationship between the state and its citizens, to reverse patterns of exclusion, and to unlock the latent capacities of millions who remain outside the formal economy.”

A trailblazer for the future

Through her chapter in Public institutional practices, Dr Mogotsi has ensured that the perspective of those working at the heart of government is recorded for history.

More than that, her work demonstrates the power of public servants, particularly women leaders, in shaping a democratic and adaptive state.

As she puts it simply, “The book will inspire others to have a broader perspective about social assistance.”