President Cyril Ramaphosa placed a strong emphasis on poverty eradication and social protection during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). He highlighted the government’s continued efforts over the past 30 years to reduce poverty, noting that more than 20 million South Africans receive social grants.
“We Want a Nation Where No One Goes Hungry”
Ramaphosa stressed that the government’s priority is to ensure that no citizen goes hungry. He outlined that 60% of the national budget is allocated to the social wage, which includes health, education, social protection, community development, and public employment programs.
“More than 10.5 million learners attend no-fee public schools, and last year alone, over 900,000 students from poor and working-class backgrounds received funding to study at universities and colleges,” Ramaphosa said.
Progress and Remaining Challenges
While acknowledging progress, Ramaphosa admitted that much work remains to eradicate poverty. He expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that women no longer struggle to feed and clothe their children.
“Through these programs, we are alleviating the worst effects of poverty and providing the means for South Africans to rise above generational poverty,” Ramaphosa stated.
He announced plans to adopt the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children, which will focus on ten key priorities, including poverty reduction, child protection, and addressing malnutrition.
Building an Integrated Support System
The President also revealed plans to build a more cohesive system of support for the unemployed and poor. This aims to simplify access to government programs, which are currently fragmented.
“We are strengthening existing programs, from job search support to public employment, ensuring they work together to offer people pathways out of poverty,” Ramaphosa explained.
Rather than forcing individuals to approach multiple government agencies, the goal is to create a one-stop service where citizens can receive all the support they need in one place.
The Future of the SASSA SRD Grant
Ramaphosa reaffirmed the importance of social grants in supporting vulnerable South Africans, particularly focusing on the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant.
“The SRD grant is essential for alleviating extreme poverty. We will use it as a foundation to introduce a more sustainable form of income support for unemployed people,” he said.
Path Forward
As the government moves to implement these initiatives, Ramaphosa’s speech reflects a broader commitment to improving social welfare and reducing poverty. Many citizens are now eager to see how these plans will translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives.
