SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO HOST VIRTUAL SEMINAR ON SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW VOLUME 2

• The Department of Social Development is continuing the discourse on the research tackled in the Social Security Review Volume 2 .
• The department, in collaboration with the Human Resources Research Council will be hosting a virtual seminar on Thursday, 7 August 2025.
• The session aims to deepen the understanding of social security in South Africa, particularly in the wake of vulnerabilities in the social protection system highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), will host a virtual seminar to discuss selected chapters from Social Security Review Volume 2 under the theme: “Bridging Gaps: Social Security Coverage for Vulnerable Groups.”

This seminar, which is taking place on Thursday, 7 August 2025, is a continuation of the critical discourse initiated by the publication’s launch in 2023.

It aims to deepen the understanding of social security in South Africa, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed and widened existing vulnerabilities in the social protection system.

Social Security Review Volume 2, first published during the pandemic, is a flagship publication that provides in-depth analysis of national and international trends in social protection.

It serves as a vital platform for examining policy responses, exploring gaps, and offering recommendations toward a more inclusive and comprehensive social security system as envisioned in the National Development Plan (Vision 2030).

The upcoming session will feature expert commentary on the following chapters:

• Social Security for Migrants Post-Covid-19: Revisiting the Legal and Policy Framework. This chapter examines the complex challenges faced by migrants in accessing social security and assesses current legal frameworks and policies.
It offers key insights on how South Africa can work toward a more inclusive and human rights-based approach to social protection for all persons residing in the country.

• From Exclusion to Inclusion: Extending Parental Protection to Informal Workers. This chapter explores the gaps in parental protection for informal workers, with a particular focus on maternity protection. It advocates for inclusive policy reforms that acknowledge the realities of informal work and align with international labour and human rights standards.

These topics address critical gaps in the current social security landscape, including the inclusion of migrant workers and informal sector workers.

Covid-19 led to unprecedented lockdowns and economic shocks, prompting governments, including South Africa, to implement emergency social protection measures to safeguard lives and livelihoods.

This seminar provides a platform to reflect on those interventions and to chart a way forward for inclusive, resilient, and rights-based social protection.

Anyone interested in the discussions can follow here. https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWMwNWNkNzctZDc1NC00NzIxLWExMjAtNzA3ZmZiMTA5ZWM5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22161524ab-4f53-4300-a494-dcdbaeb8e86c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22eb59fde1-f427-4889-87bb-7cb894b73b34%22%7d