SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TABLES BUDGET TO RESTORE TRUST AND DEEPEN IMPACT

By Cuma Pantshwa.

• ⁠Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe used the tabling of her budget vote for 2025/2026 to call for a renewed commitment to build a humane and just society for all South Africans.
• The total budget allocation for the Department of Social Development stands at R294 billion, an increase from last year’s R275 billion.
• ⁠Of this, R284 billion will go directly to monthly social grants, reaching 27 million beneficiaries.

Today, the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, tabled Budget Vote 19 for the 2025/2026 financial year in the National Assembly – a calling for unity, compassion, and renewed commitment to build a humane and just society for all South Africans.

Opening her address, Minister Tolashe honoured the memory of the lives lost during the recent devastating floods, victims of gender-based violence and femicide, and the late former Deputy President David Mabuza.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected families as they rebuild their lives. Their pain echoes as a call for justice. Let us remember their names as a constant reminder of the work that remains to be done.”

This year’s budget speech coincides with the eve of Nelson Mandela’s 107th birthday, a poignant reminder that Madiba’s call to end poverty, injustice and inequality still rings true, the minister reminded the house. Quoting Mandela, she added: “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

A people-centred budget

Framed under the theme “Restoring Trust, Deepening Impact: Reigniting the Role of the Family in a Renewed Commitment to Dignity and Inclusion”, the Department of Social Development’s total budget allocation stands at R294 billion, an increase from last year’s R275 billion.

Of this, R284 billion will go directly to monthly social grants, reaching 27 million beneficiaries – providing a lifeline to families, children and older persons amidst rising living costs and stubborn unemployment.

An additional R34.9 billion is set aside to extend the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress until March 2026, while policy work to introduce a permanent Basic Income Support measure continues.

Minister Tolashe affirmed that this new grant must help people transition towards employment and sustainable livelihoods, drawing lessons from pilot projects already underway.

Progress made – and work ahead

Looking back on the commitments made during her maiden speech in 2024, Minister Tolashe reported significant milestones:

•⁠ ⁠Stabilising the department’s leadership, filling key vacancies including the Director-General, the Chief Financial Officer, the SASSA CEO, and senior managers;
•⁠ ⁠Fully operationalising the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, available 24/7 to provide emergency support to survivors; and
•⁠ ⁠Co-hosting the Africa Children’s Summit with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, an historic gathering that amplified children’s voices and shaped resolutions now guiding child protection priorities continent-wide.

Yet, she was clear that challenges remain.

“As much as strides have been made, there is still much more work that needs to be done,” she said.

“Now more than ever, we must focus on strengthening families and supporting community-based child protection services. This is the crux of this budget; working towards a future where all children thrive in supportive environments, and families are empowered to raise their children to reach their full potential.”

Modernising social assistance

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will continue rolling out its queue management system, self-service kiosks, biometric systems, and outreach programmes targeting the most vulnerable communities.

Over 516 Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programmes will be conducted this year to ensure no one is left behind.

Minister Tolashe also reiterated that fraud and corruption will not be tolerated.

“We are determined to protect the integrity of our social assistance system – paying the right grant, to the right person, at the right time and place, NJALO!”

The department has allocated over R200 million to detect and prevent fraud, with annual savings already exceeding R1 billion.

Supporting civil society and combating GBVF

The National Development Agency receives R216 million this year to support civil society organisations providing a boost to community-driven initiatives that tackle poverty and create jobs.

Minister Tolashe further welcomed the re-establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Substance Abuse to accelerate urgent national action.

The department will expand shelters in gender-based violence and femicide hotspots and intensify efforts to challenge harmful social norms that enable violence.

“It is in every one of our hands to confront this scourge, support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable,” she said.

Legislative commitments

The department also plans to table the Victim Support Services Bill and the Children’s Amendment Bill this financial year, strengthening the legislative framework to protect the most vulnerable.

Recognising the vital work of social workers and frontline professionals, the minister renewed the call for more investment in the sector and condemned attacks on social workers: “They have become easy prey for criminals. This must end.”

A call for shared purpose

As South Africa hosts the historic G20 Summit under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, Minister Tolashe pledged that Madiba’s legacy would be amplified on the global stage, ensuring the development priorities of Africa and the Global South remain at the forefront.

In her address, Minister Tolashe also paid tribute to women pioneers like Mama Charlotte Maxeke, whose vision for social justice continues to guide the department’s work: “I am grateful to stand on the shoulders of giants. Their lifelong sacrifices remind us that the fight for equality and dignity for all is never easy — but it is always worth it.”