The Department of Social Development (DSD) presented its 2023/24 Budget Vote with the theme “DSD@Work: Leaving No One Behind.” This happened during the national Child Protection Week focused on protecting children affected by shocks and disasters, while addressing the prevalent issue of inequality and the rising living costs in South Africa.
Challenges Faced by South Africans
Minister Lindiwe Zulu emphasized addressing the challenges faced by South Africans, such as unemployment, stagnating economic growth, and shrinking fiscal space. The department’s budget allocation has not kept pace with the growing population and their social development needs. Furthermore, unfunded and under-funded mandates’ rising costs posed challenges in implementing its programs.
Priorities for 2023/24 Financial Year
The department outlined priorities, including building a capable, responsive, ethical, and fit-for-purpose Social Development portfolio. This includes producing South Africa’s poverty alleviation strategy, optimizing NPOs’ performance, strengthening the provision of care and support services for gender-based violence survivors. They also aim to expand community-based child care and protection services, create job opportunities for social service professionals, and devise economic interventions for youth beneficiaries.
Total Budget Allocation
To achieve these goals, the department allocated a total budget of R263 billion for the 2023/24 financial year. R253 billion is for direct cash transfer payments to 27 million projected grant beneficiaries by March 2024. An additional R41 billion is for implementing and administering the CoVID-19 SRD until March 2024, the inflationary increase of grant values, and compensating employees. The NDA received R220 million to reduce poverty and create job opportunities through grant funding and capacity building for civil society organizations.
Awards and Multimedia Communication Campaign
Minister Zulu expressed gratitude for receiving the prestigious 2023 Good Practice Award in Social Security for Africa, conferred by the ISSA, and SASSA’s two Certificates of Merit. The department plans to embark on a nationwide multimedia communication campaign to increase the uptake of the Top-Up Child Support Grant during the 2023/24 financial year.
The Department of Social Development seeks to improve public services and invest in the people of South Africa, addressing poverty, incomeless-ness, hunger, and social ills. The department calls upon all stakeholders to join efforts in investing in a better future for all South Africans.
