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8 May 2007

Introduction

The social cluster has continued to make significant progress in the implementation of various programmes within its priority areas. While progress has been made on a number of fronts, for the purpose of this briefing I will focus on the following areas:
- comprehensive social security
- comprehensive healthcare
- housing and human settlement
- food security and nutrition
- a few Second Economy intervention
- education and basic services.
  
Comprehensive social security

A Second Discussion Document on Social Security and Retirement Reform was published in February this year and this will be followed by separate papers on minimum benefits, governance issues, related tax reforms and institutional aspects. Further interdepartmental and stakeholder consultation will be conducted during 2007.

The Department of Health is redrafting the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill which incorporates the introduction of the Risk Equalisation Fund taking into consideration inputs received during comment period.

A survey was done into the attitudes of South Africans regarding income support including the issue of dependency. In addition, a tender has been advertised for the third phase of the study into perverse incentives. This will be a qualitative evaluation of possible perverse incentives in the social grant system.

The Social Cluster has established an inter-departmental task team to develop measures to reach vulnerable children over the age of 14 years while continuing to consolidate current gains in income support and in other policy goals. As part of the task, the task team is reviewing the outcome of a study into income support for children between the ages of 14 to 18.

Drafting of the framework for a comprehensive and integrated Anti Poverty Strategy is underway. Work is underway to develop a social report which will provide a spatial analysis of areas with highly deprived households using administrative sources, census and other survey data and the report will be finalised in January 2008. 

Comprehensive healthcare

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign, the departments of Health, Education and SAPS are running a programme for reduction of substance abuse in schools which also forms part of the Life Orientation content of Outcomes Based Education.

The Medical Research Council is piloting a Tobacco Control Programme for schools in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as part of the school curriculum. There are currently more than 860 schools that are tobacco-free environments since the launch of healthy environments for children initiative in 2003. In addition, the third Global Youth Tobacco Survey will be conducted this year to assess the actual reduction in smoking prevalence amongst the youth.

The newly constituted and restructured South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has been launched and it brings together all sectors into a renewed partnership against HIV and AIDS. The new National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS for 2007-2011 has been adopted by Cabinet and SANAC as a framework for our response to this major challenge.
 
Significant progress is being made in our comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS:
- 425 million condoms were distributed during the 2006/07 financial year
- by the end of March 2007, there were 4 189 Voluntary Counselling T sites
- by the end of February 2007, 493 000 patients received nutritional support
- by the end December 2006, 14 269 of healthcare workers were trained on comprehensive HIV and AIDS care, management and treatment
- 320 facilities were accredited by end March 2007 (nine of these are Correctional Services and seven are South African National Defence Force (SANDF) centres).
- 239 244 people had been initiated on antiretroviral therapy in the public health sector by the end of December 2006

Efforts are being made to combat tuberculosis (TB), particularly the response to Drug Resistant TB. Infection control measures have been strengthened in the multi-drug resistant TB (MDR–TB) hospitals in a bid to ensure the effective isolation of both MDR and extreme drug resistant TB (XDR-TB). The appropriate drugs for treating drug resistant TB are available. A surveillance system for XDR–TB has been developed. Healthcare workers (both nurses and doctors) are being trained on the management of drug resistant TB. Research is being conducted to determine the extent of XDR–TB.

As part of the Department of Health's collaboration with various partners in addressing TB, the World Health Organisation has provided South Africa with a technical advisor to strengthen the country's response to drug resistant TB.

Housing and human settlement

An inclusive Housing Programme has been developed following consultations with stakeholders. A programme to support municipal planning through the Human Settlement chapters in Integrated Development Planning (IDPs) has been approved.

There is an increase in the appreciation for the sustainable human settlements approach in the country. Voluntary initiatives in the private sector which seek to deliver the integration of race, income groups and multiple land use are underway. A draft paper on arts and culture interventions in Human Settlements has been developed.

Food security and nutrition

More than 6 million learners in public primary schools have access to quality meals. Six tousand food production projects and 7 429 vegetable gardens are in place in nodal schools.

A total of 66 000 beneficiaries have been reached through the agricultural production packages aimed at improving food security amongst the vulnerable communities in all nine provinces. More than 5 000 Small and Micro Agro-Enterprises have been assisted through financial assistance amounting to R41 million.

Second Economy interventions

As part of enhancing the Community Health Worker Programme, a process is underway to accredit 300 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to train Ancillary Health workers at NQF level 1 by March 2008 and upgrade the current 26 accredited service providers to train Community Care Givers at level 3.

The findings of the baseline report on Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) related work opportunities in the social sector put the potential for work creation at approximately 438 000. A provisional audit report is currently under circulation amongst sector departments and relevant stakeholders. A final report will be discussed by the Social Cluster in June 2007.

Education

A total of 15 500 poorly resourced schools have been identified through the Quality Improvement and Development Programme (QIDS-UP) for adequate resourcing to improve learning especially in literacy and numeracy. 

By the end of the 2006 school year, 5 233 of these schools had received 100 reading books per school to improve learner reading competencies in the foundation phase (Grades R to 3). Provincial allocations have been increased for the 2007/08 financial year. 

Basic services

Seventy-six percent of the 597 schools targeted for the provision of water during the 2006/07 financial year have been provided for, and more than 50% of 2 409 schools targeted for the provision of sanitation have already been provided for.

On eradication of the bucket system, the number of houses using buckets had been reduced by half from 252 254 in February 2005 to 124 593 in February 2007. The programme has been allocated R1 billion for 2007/08. An additional R600 million is required to complete the programme and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is in discussion with National Treasury and affected municipalities to secure this amount.

Conclusion

The report of the Social Cluster indicates that, despite challenges, significant progress has been made in improving the social conditions of many people of South Africa. The cluster will continue to intensify the implementation of all its priorities as outlined in the Government Programme of Action.

Issued by: Department of Social Development
8 May 2007