Sandton, Johannesburg — The Department of Social Development (DSD), in partnership with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), hosted the “From Grants to Growth” Policy Colloquium in Sandton this week — a groundbreaking platform aimed at redefining how South Africa supports its most vulnerable citizens.
Led by Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe and SASSA CEO Themba Matlou, the high-level engagement brought together government officials, economists, and social policy experts to unpack the future of social protection in South Africa.
“Our goal is to make social protection a launchpad for opportunity — not a ceiling of survival,” said Minister Tolashe, adding that the next decade of SASSA’s work must focus on linking beneficiaries to training, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihoods.
A shift from welfare to empowerment
The colloquium represents a major pivot in government thinking — from social assistance to social empowerment.
As detailed in NOWinSA’s November 2025 SASSA Grants Update, over 19 million South Africans currently depend on some form of SASSA grant. The new DSD-led policy direction aims to ensure that these grants form part of a broader economic inclusion strategy, rather than remaining a permanent dependency net.
SASSA CEO Themba Matlou underscored the need for innovation and accountability:
“We are no longer measuring success only by how many people receive grants, but by how many graduate out of poverty,” Matlou noted.
New policy commitments unveiled
The DSD and SASSA jointly committed to several transformative actions, including:
- Integrating social grants with empowerment programs, including youth entrepreneurship, small business support, and skills development.
- Partnering with the private sector, SETAs, and NGOs to deliver livelihood and enterprise opportunities at community level.
- Expanding digital infrastructure to improve grant management, transparency, and data integration between agencies.
- Strengthening social worker support systems to help beneficiaries transition from dependency to economic participation.
These initiatives align closely with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for “a capable, caring, and developmental state.”
What ‘From Grants to Growth’ means for beneficiaries
For millions of South Africans, this new policy direction signals more than a slogan — it’s a practical pathway toward dignity and independence.
- Young people may soon benefit from targeted training and placement programs, enabling a smoother shift from social relief to sustainable income.
- Women and caregivers could gain increased access to micro-enterprise support, community cooperatives, and seed funding.
- Rural households are expected to benefit from small-scale agricultural projects and local economic development schemes supported by SASSA’s partnerships.
As highlighted in NOWinSA’s report on South Africa’s R266 billion SASSA grant spend, the social security net has long been one of the government’s strongest poverty alleviation tools — but the new framework aims to make it a true engine for growth.
Looking ahead
Held under the theme “From Grants to Growth: Integrating Social Protection and Income Generating Opportunities.” the two-day gathering was hosted by DSD in collaboration with the Presidency’s Digital Innovation in the Public Sector (DIPS) and the Digital Services Unit (DSU), supported by Genesis Analytics and the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
The DSD confirmed that insights from the colloquium will inform a comprehensive Social Protection Reform Framework to be tabled before Cabinet in 2026.
With clear commitments, cross-sector collaboration, and a focus on human development, the message from Sandton is unmistakable:
Grants are no longer an end in themselves, but a beginning for national renewal.
