South Africa's Social Development Minister Dina Pule has pledged to increase access to social services for communities in Cape Town. On Friday, 2 October 2026, Minister Pule attended a media engagement at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where she outlined her plans to bring government services closer to the people. This move aims to address the issue of many residents living too far from offices that provide essential services.
Minister Pule's visit to Delft, where she witnessed the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme, was part of her efforts to reach residents cut off from state services. The programme is an initiative to provide services to communities that struggle to access them. During her visit, Minister Pule emphasized the importance of taking social development services to where people live, rather than expecting them to travel long distances.
Minister Pule addressed several pressing issues, including gender-based violence and femicide, child protection, and the integrity of social grants. She also acknowledged the problem of long queues at SASSA offices and assured that the department is working to improve queue management, staffing, appointment systems, and digital services. Vulnerable citizens will be given priority in these efforts.
The Minister also weighed in on the debate about increasing social grants. She stated that any increase must be considered in the context of the national budget, where every additional allocation has an opportunity cost. The role of National Treasury and the broader budget processes in determining sustainable affordability was also emphasized.
Minister Pule stressed that social protection should be linked to skills development, employment, and economic opportunities. This approach aims to empower beneficiaries and prevent dependency on grants alone. She also called for an agency that is more accessible, efficient, and accountable, as well as technologically enabled, while remaining human-centred.
The Minister acknowledged the crucial role of the media in exposing social ills, informing the public, holding institutions accountable, and giving a voice to vulnerable communities. She emphasized that government cannot solve social problems without the active participation of society. This sentiment highlights the importance of collaboration between government and civil society.
As SASSA marks 20 years of social protection, Minister Pule's plans aim to strengthen families through partnerships. The Social Development Month observance, under the theme "Strengthening Families through Partnerships," underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to address social challenges. Minister Pule's initiatives are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of many South Africans.
Key points
- Minister Dina Pule vows to bring government services to Cape Town communities.
- The department is working to improve queue management and digital services at SASSA offices.
- Minister Pule emphasizes the need for social protection to be linked to skills development and economic opportunities.
