Social policy and the notion of the Good Society

South African social policy after Covid-19: New policy imperatives?

“…In terms of wage support, the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) provided funds to businesses (or directly to employees) to pay wages. In addition, the Department of Social Development increased access to food relief from an initial 1.1 million to 3.3 million people to ensure food security for individuals and families impacted negatively by the national lockdown (Noyoo, 2021).…”

“…This was a special Covid-19 'Social Relief of Distress Grant' of ZAR 350 per month, which was paid out to individuals who were unemployed and did not receive any other form of social grant. Initially, the government had thought that this would only be implemented for a brief period of 6 months (Noyoo, 2021). However, as the pandemic progressed and as more needs were identified and met through this grant, the SRD was extended several times.…”

“…In January 2020, Ramaphosa announced to the country that his administration was committed to introducing the BIG. In July of the same year, the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, reiterated her government's stance on BIG as a policy alternative (Noyoo, 2021). Since the pandemic, there have been strong indications from policymakers that this issue is still being seriously considered.…”

The South African Social Policy and the Role of Green Social Work: COVID-19 and beyond

“…The social policy serves as a central pivot in terms of distribution, production, reproduction, and protection which operate in line with the economic policy to pursue natural, social, and economic goals. South Africa's post-Apartheid policy is governed by a reconstructive development program [2].…”

Introduction: Exploring the long-term social policy consequences of COVID-19

“…Ndangwa Noyoo studies the case of South Africa, where the pandemic motivated the government to announce, in July 2020, that it was considering the introduction of a new basic income grant (BIG; Noyoo, 2021). In his Forum contribution, Noyoo traces how this important policy debate around a potential BIG has unfolded.…”