Future of SASSA grant for pregnant women hangs in the balance
Did you know that a SASSA grant for pregnant women has been on the table for some time now? First tabled in 2012, it's known as the Maternal Support Grant (MSG), and it's a shame it has been in limbo for more than a decade.
At its heart, a SASSA grant for pregnant women hopes to address the fact that nearly one-third of children born in South Africa are stunted. This is due to poor nourishment of the mother. In fact, 2.5 million people live in nutritionally insecure households, according to the South African Medical Research Council. Even though it will cost billions annually, the savings a maternity grant will bring are said to be ten-fold. Image: File
As such, mothers who are malnourished during pregnancy have much higher odds of poor birth outcomes. This includes low birthweight, poor neurodevelopment, and increased risk of chronic disease later in life. This is why the proposed SASSA grant for pregnant women came about. And many in civil society say the South African Social Security Agency should combine it as an extension of the existing R570 Child Support Grant.
However, despite the draft policy being 13-years old, the Department of Social Development (DSD) says it still hasn't reached Cabinet. Last year, in November 2024, the policy was submitted to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development (SPCHD) Cabinet Committee. But it was sent back for 'further work,' saying poverty, unemployment and inequality need to be addressed jointly. In more than a decade, the DSD has not even presented the draft policy to Cabinet. Image: File
Some worry a SASSA grant for pregnant women would 'incentivise child birth and create a dependency syndrome.' However, civil society says it has been more than a decade since the DSD commissioned research on the benefits of a SASSA grant for pregnant women. And in that time the body of evidence in its favour has only grown stronger.
Therefore, the absence of income support for pregnant women is a big gap in the country's social security framework. According to advocacy groups, a SASSA grant for pregnant women would require in the region of R1.9 billion to R3.2 billion annually. However, the potential saving to public health would exceed R13 billion. It is therefore a critical investment into the future of the nation. But what do you think …?
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.
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The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Future of SASSA grant for pregnant women hangs in the balance
Did you know that a SASSA grant for pregnant women has been on the table for some time now? First tabled in 2012, it's known as the Maternal Support Grant (MSG), and it's a shame it has been in limbo for more than a decade. At its heart, a SASSA grant for pregnant women hopes to address the fact that nearly one-third of children born in South Africa are stunted. This is due to poor nourishment of the mother. In fact, 2.5 million people live in nutritionally insecure households, according to the South African Medical Research Council. Even though it will cost billions annually, the savings a maternity grant will bring are said to be ten-fold. Image: File As such, mothers who are malnourished during pregnancy have much higher odds of poor birth outcomes. This includes low birthweight, poor neurodevelopment, and increased risk of chronic disease later in life. This is why the proposed SASSA grant for pregnant women came about. And many in civil society say the South African Social Security Agency should combine it as an extension of the existing R570 Child Support Grant. However, despite the draft policy being 13-years old, the Department of Social Development (DSD) says it still hasn't reached Cabinet. Last year, in November 2024, the policy was submitted to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development (SPCHD) Cabinet Committee. But it was sent back for 'further work,' saying poverty, unemployment and inequality need to be addressed jointly. In more than a decade, the DSD has not even presented the draft policy to Cabinet. Image: File Some worry a SASSA grant for pregnant women would 'incentivise child birth and create a dependency syndrome.' However, civil society says it has been more than a decade since the DSD commissioned research on the benefits of a SASSA grant for pregnant women. And in that time the body of evidence in its favour has only grown stronger. Therefore, the absence of income support for pregnant women is a big gap in the country's social security framework. According to advocacy groups, a SASSA grant for pregnant women would require in the region of R1.9 billion to R3.2 billion annually. However, the potential saving to public health would exceed R13 billion. It is therefore a critical investment into the future of the nation. But what do you think …? 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.
IOL News
24-05-2025
- IOL News
How the Western Cape is uniting to combat hunger
Wendy Kaizer-Philander s the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Development in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Image: Supplied Wendy Kaizer-Philander When looking at the wealth in our cities and the beauty of our landscapes, it can be easy to forget that in many corners of the Western Cape, hunger remains a daily reality of life. Something so basic, so fundamental, still plagues the lives of thousands of our citizens. The General Households Survey published by Statistics South Africa in 2021 revealed a disturbing reality: that almost 250 000 households in Cape Town experienced hunger. These are not just numbers. They are children going to bed with empty stomachs. They are elderly citizens choosing between food and medicine. They are families losing hope. Food insecurity And the problem is even more pressing in rural municipalities. In places like Saldanha, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert, and Beaufort West, more than 40% of residents are food insecure. That means they cannot afford the minimum food needed for basic energy intake. In Matzikama, Theewaterskloof, and other rural regions, the rates are alarmingly high as well. Behind every percentage point is a human story of struggle - mothers stretching a single meal for an entire day, children falling behind in school because hunger robs them of focus and strength. This is the harsh reality of food insecurity in the Western Cape. But amid this bleak picture, there is also movement, action, and compassion. The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has stepped up with urgency and resolve, working with civil society to build a safety net that stretches into the most vulnerable communities. Recognising the deepening risk of household hunger, DSD has developed and implemented a comprehensive support system to mitigate to ensure no one is left behind. At the heart of this response are Community Nutrition and Development Centres (CNDCs) and Community Kitchens, operated by a network of dedicated non-profit organisations (NPO). In the 2024/25 financial year, 54 NPOs managed 102 CNDCs and 16 community kitchens across the province. These centres do more than serve meals, they restore dignity, provide social support, and create employment. In fact, 163 jobs were created through CNDCs in 2024/25, with an estimated 249 job opportunities set for the 2025/26 financial year. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Rural areas The focus is heavily on rural areas, where 58% of funding was directed. In regions like Eden Karoo, for instance, over R11.7 million was allocated to fund 14 community kitchens and 19 additional feeding sites. Through these efforts, more than 10,000 beneficiaries are fed each month from CNDCs, and another 8,000 receive meals through community kitchens – 80% of whom are women with children under five. The Western Cape DSD's response does not stop there. During emergencies, food parcels are swiftly delivered - 2,458 households were supported with emergency food parcels in 2024/25 alone. In addition, the Department funds a vast network of centres providing daily meals as part of their care model, including: 141 old age homes serving 5,317 older persons three meals a day 163 senior clubs supporting over 8,000 elders with weekday meals 40 disabled homes and 47 protective workshops, serving over 3,800 people with disabilities Over 20,000 vulnerable children served through after-school centres, drop-in sites, and child care facilities Support to shelters for the homeless, victims of gender-based violence, and individuals undergoing substance treatment Altogether, the department is investing R47.4 million through 55 organisations to ensure food reaches those who need it most. No silver bullet This is not a silver bullet. Hunger remains a devastating and complex issue, rooted in poverty, unemployment, and enduring inequality. Lasting solutions must be found through the creation of more opportunities. But what the DSD's efforts does show is that government, in partnership with civil society, can make sure that our most vulnerable residents are cared for, even when they cannot afford to care for themselves. As citizens, we must continue to hold our leaders accountable. But we must also acknowledge the quiet work being done - the soup being stirred in a community kitchen, the food parcels delivered to the elderly, the warm meal handed to a child after school. These are acts of humanity in the face of hardship. Food insecurity is a stain on our collective conscience. But with sustained commitment, proper funding, and deep community partnerships, it is a challenge we can and must overcome. *Wendy Kaizer-Philander who is the Chairperson of the Standing Committee Social Development in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Weekend Argus
![Child abuse, teen pregnancy surge in KZN [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2Fpexels-sasha-kim-8432464-1.jpg.optimal.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
The South African
23-05-2025
- The South African
Child abuse, teen pregnancy surge in KZN [video]
In the first quarter of 2025, KwaZulu-Natal recorded 3 653 cases of child abuse and neglect. The Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, warned that the province is also struggling with high rates of teenage pregnancy. 'Umkhanyakude District Municipality is one of municipalities that are still battling with teenage pregnancy with a record of 11 deliveries for children between 10 – 14 years', said DSD spokesperson, Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane. She said the statistics were recorded between January to March 2025. According to Xulu-Lentsoane, 741 children between the ages of 15 and 19-years-old gave birth in KZN during the same period. Read the full version of the ' Minister flags staggering child abuse stats in KZN' article. Since the beginning of May, Minister Tolashe has been visiting various parts of the country to raise awareness about Child Protection Month. Today, 23 May 2025, she is taking the campaign to a town bordering eSwatini, Manguzi in KwaZulu-Natal. 'The Minister is the champion of the District Development Model and will be raising awareness on the plight of children in that area. While bringing all services of the department and its agencies, the South African Social Security Agency and the National Development Agency', said Xulu-Lentsoane Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
