A unique government-led partnership, attracting international attention, is piloting a programme to provide grant recipients with the skills and assets to generate their own income.
PRETORIA – In a significant step towards breaking the cycle of poverty, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is championing an innovative project designed to help social grant recipients build sustainable livelihoods beyond government support.
The initiative, known as the Generating Better Livelihoods (GBL) project, is a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Development (DSD), SASSA, the National Development Agency (NDA), FinMark Trust, and the global NGO BRAC International.
The project’s progress and potential were recently showcased to a high-level delegation from BRAC Global, led by its Executive Director, Mr. Jerome Oberreit, highlighting the international interest in South Africa’s government-led model.
A Hand-Up, Not Just a Hand-Out
The GBL project is styled as a “graduation programme,” which moves beyond simply providing cash support. It aims to equip recipients with a comprehensive package of support, including skills training, access to savings schemes, seed funding or assets to start small businesses, and ongoing coaching.
SASSA CEO, Mr. Themba Matlou, who represented the agency at the session, emphasised the project’s importance. He shared that SASSA is providing concrete support by hosting the project team members both at its Head Office and in the Local Offices where the pilot is underway.
Mr. Matlou further stated that the project is “very important and needs to move beyond the pilot and scale up in all p[ilots? provinces?]” – a clear indication of the government’s belief in its success.
A Model Drawing Global Interest
The objectives of the session with BRAC were to provide an overview of this government-led model and to share lessons for future scaling. The fact that a globally renowned organisation like BRAC is taking a keen interest underscores the potential of the GBL project to serve as a blueprint for other countries.
The project represents a paradigm shift in social welfare, focusing on long-term economic empowerment rather than short-term relief. By leveraging the existing grant system as a foundation, it seeks to identify and nurture entrepreneurial spirit among some of the most vulnerable citizens.
If successfully scaled, the GBL project could mark a new chapter in South Africa’s approach to social development, transforming the social grant system into a springboard for financial independence and sustainable small business creation.
About The Author
