TWENTY YEARS OF DEMOCRACY: SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME REVISITED

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide a reflective analysis, twenty years after democracy, of social assistance grants in accomplishing their primary objective of closing the poverty gap and inequality. Literature reviewed show that in the absence of any other safety net, access to social grants reduces destitution for many poor people and their households. However, various indicators confirm that even though poverty appears to have declined in the recent past, there are still millions of poor people who are exceedingly vulnerable and at risk. Unemployment levels have been fluctuating, but the trend has been upwards. Also, other researchers have argued that social grants are running the risk of being perceived as state hand-outs with over 16 million recipients benefiting. This paper therefore informs the policy makers of the expectations after 20 years of democracy and the reality 20 years after democracy.