Challenges and dilemmas in implementing the Child Support Grant policy in South Africa. Prepared by: R.M. Mthethwa University of Pretoria Republic of South Africa 9 th Annual SPMA International Conference on public Administration and Management. 26-27 October 2016
Presentation outline Introduction Conceptual clarifications Legislative framework for social security Overview of social security in SA Challenges of social security Conclusion
Introduction 80% world population has no access to social security (UN 2012). Importance of social security (alleviate poverty, inequality) Global organisation like (World Commission, ILO, UN) campaign for social security for all. Limited resources and sustainable financing
Conceptual clarifications Social assistance: this is a form of social security which provides assistance in cash or kind to persons who lack the means to support themselves and their dependants. It is means-tested and is funded from government revenues. Social allowances: universal payments made to persons in designated categories (children, older, disabilities) Not means-tested
Conceptual clarifications cont Social insurance: this is a form of social security designed to protect incomeearners and their families against a reduction or loss of income. Employers and employees both contribute. However, low wages in some countries makes it difficult for workers to contribute.
Conceptual clarifications cont Social security: is the protection that society provides for its members, through a series of public measures, against the economic and social distress that otherwise will be caused by the stoppage or substantial reduction of earnings resulting from sickness, maternity leave, being injured on duty, unemployment, old age, and the provision of medical care; and the provision of subsidies for families and children (ILO 2000:29).
Legislative framework for social security The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 (as amended) The Road Accident Fund of 1996 (as amended) The Unemployment Insurance Act of 2001 (as amended) The Social Assistance Act of 2004 (as amended)
Overview of social security in South Africa Before 1994, social security in SA was based on race. The Children s Protection Act of 1913 The Old Age Pension Act of 1928
Overview of social security in South Africa cont After 1994 The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 (as amended) The Bill of Rights everyone has the right to have access to: social security (RSA Constitution 1996)
Public contributory schemes Compensation fund Road Accident fund Unemployment Insurance Fund
Non-contributory schemes Social assistance grants Military pensions Special pensions
Challenges of social security in SA Administrative issues SASSA spends like 6 per cent UIF spends like 25 per cent Compensation Fund over 40 per cent of on administration (National Treasury 2011).
Challenges of social security in SA cont Implementation issues: Corruption, fraud and mismanagement DSD in 2012 embarked on a process reregistering grant beneficiaries in order to root out ghost Over 600 000 fraudulent social grant recipients were removed (DSD 2015)
Challenges of social security in SA cont Sustainability issues: Social assistance programme has grown, in 1994 there were 2,9 million recipients. As of 2015 financial year over 16 million people access social grants 11,7 million are CSG recipients 3,1 million for OAG.
Conclusion Social security has proved itself to be important in alleviating poverty and has inspired growing interest on the part of government and governed alike. Some achievements: a guaranteed income for the elderly, the disabled or survivors and access to good medical care at a reasonable cost.
Conclusion cont Some challenges: administrative issues, implementation and corruption issues and sustainability issues. Therefore, it is important South Africa to take these challenges into consideration if they want to improve and extend coverage to all the poor communities.
Questions/Comments The end I thank you