Government continues to support vulnerable households by contributing to poverty alleviation and reducing inequality through the administration of social grants by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
These efforts are demonstrated by the disbursement of 9.2 million social grants to beneficiaries, providing a critical social safety net.
This is according to Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, who on Friday provided an update on government’s performance against the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024–2029 for the period April to September 2025.
The performance is measured against government’s priorities for the seventh administration that includes driving inclusive economic growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
During this period 452 302 individuals benefitted from food and nutrition programmes, showing momentum in government’s intervention to increase access to nutritious food to all vulnerable individuals.
“Poverty and inequality remain structural challenges, and are compounded by slow growth, energy constraints, and global economic pressures. Social protection continues to play a critical stabilising role for vulnerable households,” the Minister said.
She noted that the rapid gains in poverty reduction achieved before the year 2011 have not yet been fully recovered.
“The rising administered prices and food costs continue to place pressure on household incomes. South Africa’s inequality remains high, with a Gini coefficient of approximately 0.63.
“High unemployment continues to undermine poverty reduction efforts, while challenges persist in grant payment systems, and resourcing for gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) interventions,” the Minister said.
A total of 120 935 victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) received psycho-social services, as part of government’s efforts to implement the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, and expand victim support services such as the Thuthuzela Centres, and GBV Desks and Victim Friendly Facilities in police stations.
Education and Early Childhood Development
The Education and Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector exceeded its 2025 target of 10 000 ECD centres, in addition to the18 000 that are already registered.
The Minister indicated that 1.3 million children are enrolled in ECD programmes.
She said 97% of Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE) projects are completed while expressing concern for the decline in mathematics enrolment in schools.
Ramokgopa called for an acceleration in the elimination of pit latrines and modernisation of school sanitation.
“Expand teacher training and resourcing for mathematics and science. Scale up subsidised ECD access and maintenance funding to provinces. Strengthen disability support units across ordinary schools,” the Minister recommended.
In the reporting period, HIV viral suppression stood at 96%.
“TB treatment success improved to 76.8%, while there has been progress on National Health Insurance (NHI) governance structures despite litigation. Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) coverage is at 79%, short of the 85% target,” the Minister said.
Human Settlements
The Minister stressed that bulk infrastructure in metros and secondary cities should accelerate housing delivery.
This as 7 028 housing units were delivered, only meeting 27% of the MTDP target.
A total of 12 623 serviced sites were completed during the reporting period (against an annual target of 62 800).
“Fast track title deed restoration with digital cadastre integration. Strengthen municipal planning capacity for informal settlement upgrading. [Lastly] enhance coordination between the Departments of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, and Transport, and Eskom for integrated urban development,” the Minister said.
A total of 8 014 title deeds were issued during the reporting period against an annual target of 16 000.
“Overall, our analysis indicates that government is making steady progress in several priority areas, particularly where coordination across government has improved, and where clear performance indicators are in place.
“At the same time, we have observed that progress tends to be hampered by several challenges that include capacity constraints, delayed implementation, and uneven performance across sectors and regions.
“The MTDP is government’s blueprint for driving change and improving the lives of our people. While progress has been made, we are clear that more must be done, with urgency, discipline and focus,” Ramokgopa said. - SAnews.gov.za
