Opinion| Social security is the bedrock of South Africa’s human rights protection. But there are gaps

LEILA PATEL|

SINCE South Africa adopted its post-apartheid constitution in 1996, the country has made important strides in realising the right to social security and in reducing poverty and inequality.

Policies, legislation and administrative infrastructure have enabled the government to create an expansive social security system. Two out of three households receive a social grant and 60% of the workforce is covered by social insurance.

South Africa is now an exemplar of an upper middle-income country that has gone further than many others in growing social protection to promote development.

Nevertheless, the country still has persistent and extraordinarily high rates of poverty, unemployment, inequality and low levels of economic growth.

As South Africa marks Human Rights Day on 21 March, it is worth reflecting on what has been achieved, what policies and interventions are needed, and what the future trajectories might be.

What’s in place

Social security consists of several pillars. One of these is social assistance. This is paid by the state to different categories of