Speaking at the launch of the Social Security Review Volume 2 on Monday (28 October 2024), the deputy minister of social development, Ganief Hendricks, noted that the Covid-19 pandemic made it possible for South Africa to open up a national discourse on social protection policy choices that were long overdue — including the possibility of a universal basic income grant.
The Social Security Review Volume 2, released on Monday, centred around “Social security in the time of Covid-19”, with contributors from government, civil society, academia and the private sector coming together to explore how the resilience and inclusivity of social protection structures in South Africa can be enhanced — particularly in the face of large-scale socioeconomic shocks.
The publication was launched by the National Department of Social Development (DSD), in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). At the launch, the deputy minister of social development, Ganief Hendricks, noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had exposed serious gaps in social protection systems across all countries, including South Africa.
Read the full story by Tamsin Metelerkamp in the Daily Maverick.
