A service level agreement between the Post Office and the agency dispensing government grants, Sassa, makes for interesting reading.
It demonstrates an attempt to improve its grant distribution systems, its interface with customers and its security, both electronically and at cash points.
Whether the promises on paper actually translate to tangible quality of service is a different matter altogether.
The point is social relief has always been part of the ANC government’s DNA.
The party prides itself on government policy that prioritises the extension of relief to thousands of families who are in need.
Critics, however, will tell you that while welfare provision has its place in any society, its magnitude in our country demonstrates a government that has failed to create a conducive environment for people to access economic opportunities.
The latter argument is more convincing, in particular when we look closely at the changing profile of beneficiaries.
Historically, this aid was limited to certain categories of people such as the elderly, children and those whose medical conditions limited their ability to work.
Perhaps to some degree this concealed the extent of poverty in our country.
The introduction of the social relief of distress (SRD) grant in 2020 became a wake-up call.
It is arguably the most sobering gauge of our economic reality.
Figures released by Sassa yesterday show that as of January 24, more than 13-million South Africans applied for the R350 SRD grant.
Young people aged between 20-24 years old make up the biggest chunk of applications followed by the 30-35 age group and then those between 25-29 years.
Worse, 716,200 have a tertiary qualification, while the majority have matric certificates.
The story of SA’s unemployment, especially among young people, is well documented.
But these figures drive home a more nuanced point, that the face of unemployment in SA is young, black and increasingly, educated.
This is a dangerous position for any society to be in.
Not only because of the direct and immediate impact of joblessness on individuals, families and communities.
It subliminally devalues the very principle of education as a tool of self-development and further entrenches hopelessness on a generation of young people.
No society should be condemned to the destructive path we are on.
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