Social Security and Social Development in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has made significant strides in growing its social security and social development system to reduce poverty and inequality since the advent of democracy in 1994. The country’s rights-based and redistributive social protection system builds on earlier social policies and was substantively refashioned to address the country’s colonial and apartheid legacy. This chapter documents the South African case with reference to the following themes: first, it sets out the social and economic challenges facing the country in relation to poverty and inequality. Second, it demonstrates the conceptual and policy significance of the South African case in relation to the rise of social protection policies to promote inclusive development in countries in the Global South. The South African welfare regime is the third theme. It focuses on the evolution of social security and social development, discusses the features of the approach, the nature and scope of social protection policies and their impacts. Finally, the chapter concludes by considering the policy issues and future trajectory of social protection in South Africa.

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“…The mandate and commitment to the SDA by signatories of the United Nations (UN) had a remarkable history during the 1960s and 1970s, which were declared the decades for social development (Noyoo, 2015). Noyoo (2015) and Patel (2015) identified four major UN initiatives that supported the global implementation of the SDA: the International Conference of Ministers Responsible for Social Welfare in 1968, the Brundtland Commission on environment and development for establishing sustainable practices in 1987, the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen from 6-12 March 1995, and the establishment of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDG) in 2005 (later replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in 2016). Many authors, including Gray (2014), Homfeldt and Reutlinger (2008), Nicholas (2014) and Patel (2015) cite the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development as instrumental in creating a unified vision for the implementation of the SDA.…”

“…Noyoo (2015) and Patel (2015) identified four major UN initiatives that supported the global implementation of the SDA: the International Conference of Ministers Responsible for Social Welfare in 1968, the Brundtland Commission on environment and development for establishing sustainable practices in 1987, the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen from 6-12 March 1995, and the establishment of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDG) in 2005 (later replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in 2016). Many authors, including Gray (2014), Homfeldt and Reutlinger (2008), Nicholas (2014) and Patel (2015) cite the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development as instrumental in creating a unified vision for the implementation of the SDA. In line with this summit's mandate, South Africa developed the White Paper for Social Welfare (RSA, 1997b), which addresses the implementation of the SDA and introduces the transformation of social welfare services (Nicholas, 2014;Noyoo, 2015;Patel, 2015).…”

“…Many authors, including Gray (2014), Homfeldt and Reutlinger (2008), Nicholas (2014) and Patel (2015) cite the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development as instrumental in creating a unified vision for the implementation of the SDA. In line with this summit's mandate, South Africa developed the White Paper for Social Welfare (RSA, 1997b), which addresses the implementation of the SDA and introduces the transformation of social welfare services (Nicholas, 2014;Noyoo, 2015;Patel, 2015). This White Paper empowered social workers to enforce the developmental agenda and community work as the dominant mode of intervention and emphasised welfare pluralism, partnerships and collaborations (Gray & Lombard 2008;Midgley, 2003;Patel, 2015).…”

“…Noyoo (2015) argued further that transformation and social change require capabilities, assets, empowerment, strengths and social capital. In essence, the SDA alleviates poverty, reinforces social and economic wellbeing, and encourages self-determination by involving non-state stakeholders, social investment strategies and diversification of social welfare services (Homfeldt & Reutlinger, 2008;McKendrick, 2001;Patel, 2015).…”

“…The unifying factors of the SDA are fundamental tenets of the White Paper for Social Welfare (RSA, 1997b) and are summarised as equality, human rights (social justice and dignity for all), welfare pluralism, democracy, economic strategies, partnership, and collaboration (Gray & Lombard 2008;Midgley, 2003;Patel, 2015;. The SDA may be viewed as the umbrella concept that combines both social welfare interventions and economic empowerment strategies.…”