NEW: Social grants ‘a tool to cut poverty’

Pretoria - Is the R155.3 billion that South Africa is spending this year on social grants for 16.4 million people money well spent?

While the social grant system is under fire, particularly after the increases the minister of finance announced in his Budget speech, social development authorities say it is working – within the limits of its capabilities.



“Yes, we are meeting the challenge of poverty through social grants but – and that ‘but’ is one of the most important points – social grants are not the solution to South Africa’s problem of deep and extensive poverty and high long-term unemployment.”

This was the conclusion of Dr Wiseman Magasela, deputy director-general of research and policy development at the Department of Social Development.

He was speaking during a panel discussion on poverty and inequality at Unisa as part of the university’s annual Research & Innovation Week. The university will conclude its special focus programme on innovation and research by month-end.


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