/ 30 September 2011

Social grants reaching citizens countrywide

Social Grants Reaching Citizens Countrywide

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) engages with citizens via media campaigns and mobile offices built into trucks that drive out to far-flung rural areas.

“Our ongoing outreach programmes are integrated and involve other government departments. The police would for instance assist those who do not have proper legal documents required when applying for grants.

The home affairs department comes along to assist persons who need identity documents, while the health department would assist with immunisation cards.

“SASSA sits down first with community leaders to determine areas of greatest need before deciding where to take the outreach programme to”, said Letsatsi.

“We make an environmental assessment of the area. We work with the local government. Through this bottom-up consultative process, SASSA officials are able able to identify an area, the existing problems for beneficiaries and work out mutually benefiting solutions.”

As from the 4th October SASSA will be rolling out its broadcast campaign throughout the country as part of the broader outreach programme aimed at opening access to services for communities in remote areas. Popular radio stations and one television show will broadcast live from where people live.

This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as a sponsored feature