The recent malfunction in South Africa’s Social Security Agency (SASSA) payment system left a minimum of 600,000 social grant beneficiaries in agony, frantically waiting for their overdue deposits. The situation worsened when Johanna Gryzenhout, a 61yearold pensioner from Cape Town, experienced a heart attack due to the stress of waiting for her grant. This tragic event underlines the grim repercussions that system breakdowns can have on susceptible people.
Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin HillLewis, has announced an increased commitment to supporting nonprofit organization (NPO)run homeless shelters across the city. The initiative is part of the Winter Readiness campaign, which provides temporary bed spaces in various shelters to assist the homeless population during colder months. Additionally, the campaign will deploy Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers to help alleviate the workload at these shelters for six months.
In recent years, South Africa has seen a positive shift in its approach to human settlements, thanks to Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete and the Department of Human Settlements. With the implementation of the innovative District Development Model, various spheres of government have been able to collaborate more effectively, resulting in improved service delivery.
In April 2021, the Gauteng High Court in South Africa ruled that free public health services must be provided to pregnant women and children under six years old, regardless of nationality or documentation status. The ruling resulted from a case brought by SECTION27, a public interest law center, on behalf of women who were denied access to care. However, many immigrant women, especially those from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, still struggle to register for prenatal care.
The South African public health sector is currently facing a crisis that impacts everyone, particularly the most vulnerable members of society. Doctors are overwhelmed by the patient loads, lack of support and backup, and the need to work extended hours. Consequently, healthcare quality has deteriorated, and the poor and vulnerable bear the brunt of the situation. Nevertheless, amidst the challenges, there are also stories of hope and resilience that deserve recognition.
South Africa’s energy sector has seen a significant challenge in recent years. Eskom, the country’s leading power utility, has struggled to keep up with the growing electricity demand. The result has been frequent power outages, or load shedding, which have disrupted businesses and homes. The reasons for this crisis are complex, ranging from aging infrastructure to corruption allegations. In this article, we will explore the causes of the electricity crisis in South Africa, its impact on society, and the measures being taken to address the problem.
