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Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media

Note should be taken that significant progress is being made in the fight against poverty and other forms of vulnerability.

The payment of grants is the biggest poverty alleviation programme of government. Worth noting is that we have surpassed the target set to reach 3 million children with the Child Support Grant by the April 2004. Already 3, 4 million are registered.

Furthermore, over 6,2 million people including older persons and people with have been disabilities receive grants.

These monumental achievements could not have been possible without the help and active involvement of faith-based organisations, business, labour, the media and civil society. We will therefore continue to strengthen these partnerships.

We are also pleased that significant progress has been in the process of establishing the National Social Security Agency aimed at improving the payment of social grants. We are tired and will no longer tolerate the situation where our people, especially older persons and those with disabilities, are being paid in conditions that undermine their dignity and are treated with disrespect. We will particular attention to the Eastern Cape, which is the worst affected.

In this regard we also note the progress being made by the interim management team established to assist in turning that situation around. Corruption and mismanagement are being uprooted, the registration of children is accelerating; service delivery is improving and good governance is taking root. Though a lot still needs to be done and the national social security agency will reinforce such efforts.

However, we are cognisant of the fact that grants alone cannot be the solution. Thus our focus now and in the near future is on strengthening and integrating various poverty alleviation programmes, including the pilot on food security and nutrition. Ours is to ensure that these programmes benefit mostly children, especially the most vulnerable like child-headed households.

Finally our desire as government is to strengthen public works programmes, job creation etc. the establishment of a comprehensive social security system for the country that will further enhance self -reliance amongst individuals, families and communities and give impetus to sustainable socio-economic development.

We therefore believe that there is need for the building of a people's contract to strengthen families and communities for a better life for all, especially children.

For more information contact: Mbulelo Musi, Tel: 27-12-312-7654, Cell: 082-904-3395, Fax: 27-12-312-7943
E-mail: Mbulelo.Musi@socdev.gov.za

Issued by Ministry for Social Development, 31 July 2003