Traditional and Contemporary Social Assistance Measures in South Africa: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

In South Africa, social assistance is provided for both in the Constitution and in the legislation. Section 27 of the Constitution provides that everyone has the right to have access to: health care services, sufficient food and water and social security, including appropriate social assistance if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants. Section 27(2) further provides that the state has a duty to take reasonable legislative and other measures within available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of each of the rights set out in section 27(1).