Cape Town - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says while interventions such as social grants remained a critical element in the fight against poverty, government ought to find more effective ways to bring marginalised communities into sustainable economic activities.
He said this while delivering the Presidency's Budget Vote in Parliament, on Wednesday.
To this end, the Presidency, in consultation with social partners across the country, has developed a comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy (APS) designed to integrate and improve efforts to deal with poverty.
"We are in the process of finalising a concrete Action Plan which will ensure that the objectives in the strategy are brought to life in action across the country," said Mr Motlanthe.
Also in his State of the Nation Address in June, President Jacob Zuma identified 10 priority areas, which he said will form part of government's Medium Term Strategic Framework for 2009 to 2014.
"We shall not rest, and we dare not falter, in our drive to eradicate poverty," President Zuma said at the time.
Deputy President Motlanthe said at the core of the APS was the creation of economic opportunities and empowering communities and individuals to access opportunities.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Land Affairs has begun its work in various parts of the country, starting with Giyani in Limpopo, in a bid to widen the net of localities.
"Necessarily, we will strengthen strategic management and leadership capability across government to position ourselves better for the challenge of effective governance," said the deputy president.
He further said at least R787 billion has been set aside over the next three years to expand and improve infrastructure and related facilities.
Activities will include maintenance of current infrastructure using labour intensive methods wherever possible.
