DSD briefs parliament on basic income support policy
The Department of Social Development aims to provide basic income support for citizens between the ages of 18-59. During a briefing with the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, DSD updated parliament on the progress of the development of the Basic Income Support Policy.
'Work on the policy has been ongoing, with the first draft of the policy having been presented to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster Cabinet Committee on 26 November 2024', said DSD spokesperson, Bathembu Futshane.
The committee raised that more consultations were needed in order to discus the policy. It was further suggested that meetings should be held with internal stakeholders. The meeting would focus on the affordability of the policy and linkages of its proposed beneficiaries with economic opportunities.
An interdepartmental workshop was held in order to communicate the directive of collaboration. According to Futshane, the workshop affirmed the need to link the policy's beneficiaries to other employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
'A follow up workshop will be held in June 2025. Followed by bilateral engagements with the Presidency, the Department of Labour and National Treasury', said Futshane.
He said once the consultations are concluded, DSD will approach the SPCHD Cabinet Committee in the second Quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. They will request cabinet to consider the revised policy. Once the policy is approved, it will be published for public comments.
Futshane said that in order to ensure stability during the consultation period, the department will consult National Treasury for the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant be extended. The grant will remain in place until the legislative process is complete.
Beneficiaries will be protected from extreme poverty and vulnerability while they wait for the policy to come into effect.
'The Department, has for the interim, been granted an extension by the National Treasury to continue with this provision for the 2025/26 financial year', concluded Futshane.
DO YOU THINK SOCIAL GRANTS ARE HELPING SOUTH AFRICANS OR ENCOURAGING A CULTURE OF LAZINESS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
'A man of unwavering principles': Ramaphosa delivers eulogy at activist cleric Tshenuwani Farisani's funeral
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the late activist cleric Rev Tshenuwani Simon Farisani as a man of unwavering principles who did not yearn for the limelight and positions. Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at the funeral of the ANC politician at the University of Venda stadium in Limpopo on Saturday. Farisani was accorded a special official provincial funeral category two. 'He was a man of unwavering principles. Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the people of South Africa and their total emancipation,' he said. Ramaphosa said Farisani saw himself as a mentor and 'indeed he was my mentor and he was my teacher as well'. Scores of politicians, including ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, attended the funeral. Farisani was a revered South African theologian, Lutheran minister, anti-apartheid activist and political leader. He was a man of unwavering principles. Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the people of South Africa and their total emancipation. President Cyril Ramaphosa He was born on August 30 1948 in Songozwi village (then part of the Venda homeland in the Transvaal). He rose from rural hardship to become one of the most influential voices in liberation theology and the struggle for freedom in apartheid South Africa. 'We have lost an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. This obituary, which has been read by his child, is an obituary that includes the life of Tshenuwani in full,' Ramaphosa said. He further added Farisani's year of birth, 1948, was a turning point in the history of South Africa, a year when the National Party swept to power and ushered in an evil spirit of apartheid that was declared a crime against humanity by the UN. 'Dean Farisani was born into circumstances that mirrored the lives of millions of black South Africans at the time. He was just a child, barely three years old, when his family was confronted with the ugly face of injustice.' He said many years later, in 1996, Farisani would testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how his family became victims of forced removals from Songozwi near Makhado (formerly known as Louis Trichardt). Farisani, he said, rebelled against the dubious teachings of the Lutheran theological college at Maphumulo, from which he was expelled in 1972. Ramaphosa hails late Mam Motlana as a 'fearless and resolute' opponent of oppression President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans should pay tribute to activist and Member of the Order of the Baobab Sally Motlana by emulating her ... Politics 1 year ago He developed an interest in liberation theology and its message that the true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor. He became involved with underground political organisations like the Black People's Convention, the black consciousness movement. It was at this time that Farisani travelled extensively across the country. In his many travels, he visited Mphaphuli High School, where Ramaphosa was a pupil. 'Farisani was a guest at our school's flourishing debating society, which a number of us, including Judge Raulinga, Tshifhiwa Muofhe and people like Willy Mudau, had set up. Farisani and I formed an immediate and lasting bond of friendship, comradeship and loyalty based on respect and love. He opened to me the radical interpretation of the Bible, which Farisani was later to become famous for. 'He argued the Lutheran church must turn away from political conservatism and become an instrument of opposition,' said Ramaphosa. He said Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and to stand up for their rights. 'I was one of those who were hugely inspired by him. He was, in addition to everything else, a renowned academic, a prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless. He was a guide and a mentor to many.' Ramaphosa said Farisani's activism continued into the democratic era, where he became an MEC and speaker of the legislature in Limpopo province. He said those roles placed him in a position of power and influence, yet did not change him. 'He was a servant leader who came, served and left. When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those who are trusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism, and that is why he was one of those when the VBS looting happened who spoke out. 'He spoke out to a point where a number of people started to hate him, but it never moved him. The foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice. Neither beatings nor torture could make Farisani surrender his principles' .
SowetanLIVE
3 hours ago
- SowetanLIVE
Joshco bridges housing gap for missing middle residents
Construction is under way on what will become the largest phase of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company's (Joshco) Riverside View project in Diepsloot, which will add more than 700 new units to the growing social housing development. During an oversight visit, Nhlamulo Shikwambana, Joshco's acting COO, said 'the development has already completed three phases, with tenants living in over 300 units, and construction of phase 4 now under way'. 'Once complete, phase 4 will add over 700 more units. This is going to be our biggest build in the area. The plan is to reach over 1,000 units in Diepsloot' Shikwambana said the project is specifically aimed at South Africans in the 'missing middle', those who earn too much to qualify for RDP houses but too little to afford bonded homes. 'We are closing the gap for people who fall through the cracks. Most of our residents come from informal areas. We want them to feel safe and comfortable without being financially overstretched,' added Shikwambana.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Welcome to adulting: what to do with your first pay check
With the right habits, a first pay check is not just income but a launchpad to financial freedom for young people. When you get your first pay check it could feel like you are an adult now. That also means that you must treat your money like an adult, but not all young people know how to manage their money wisely. Debra Slabber, director and portfolio specialist at Morningstar Investment Management South Africa, shares her own early financial experiences and four practical lessons she wishes she knew when starting out: #1: Understand the basics of money Financial literacy is often overlooked in our school system and rarely discussed openly at home. Learn to budget, spend wisely and grow your wealth. Just a little effort up front can make a big difference later. The goal is financial confidence, not perfection. ALSO READ: How to use your pay cheque to get financial freedom #2: Spend less than you earn This is the golden rule of personal finance, although it is often ignored in the early years. 'There is no shame in living frugally while you build a foundation. Avoid using debt to fund your lifestyle. Loans should support long-term goals such as buying a house, not short-term gratification.' #3: Start investing no matter how small Investing even R250 a month can make a meaningful difference when invested consistently over time. 'Time is your biggest financial advantage. Harness the power of compounding now, and your future self will thank you.' ALSO READ: How to make the most of your first salary #4: Enjoy the process of building wealth Building wealth is not about depriving yourself but about empowerment. 'There is joy in taking control of your finances and seeing your progress over time. Learn about the different tools available, track your growth and celebrate the small wins with your first paycheck.' Slabber's advice is clear: the earlier young South Africans start making smart money choices, the better positioned they will be for long-term success.
