The role of social assistance for underprivileged children in South Africa

M.A.Abstract: This study assesses the role of social assistance in helping underprivileged children in South Africa. The study focuses on the Child Support Grant (CSG), which is the main form of social assistance support provided to underprivileged children in South Africa. The study relied on a methodological approach of content analysis of research reports of South African social policy, a literature review of journal articles and governments’ and international bilateral organisations’ reports, as well as some primary data obtained from two key informants interviewed. Furthermore, in comparison with CSG objectives, statistics and trends of social assistance spending in South Africa and the outcomes of the CSG were examined. Through the lens of South African historical, social, and political dynamics, the study aimed to unpack the key drivers of social assistance implementation in targeting underprivileged children in South Africa. The social assistance legislative and policy frameworks were critiqued by the study, grounded in reflecting on international legal instruments that influence social assistance legislation in South Africa. The study approach was predominantly qualitative in nature, depending much on secondary data-collection techniques, substantiated by interviewing key informants. The study notes that social assistance legislation and provision continue to evolve amid changing socio-economic challenges in the country. The study concludes by presenting some recommendations for the South Africa government and the Ministry of Social Development for the improvement of social assistance in South Africa. The recommendations call for the evolvement of further robust, pro-poor social assistance programmes initiation in the face of changing economic conditions in South Africa. The study concludes by noting that social assistance and the CSG are a justifiable constitutional and significant human right for qualifying families; therefore its continuation is justifiable and reasonable