Department of Social Development: About Us

The Department of Social Development – the heart of provincial government - is among the province’s service delivery engines that uses the life cycle approach, supports and protects the poor and most vulnerable in society through different interventions.

The core functions of our Department are:

• Providing a welfare service to the poor and vulnerable in partnership with stakeholders and civil society organisations, and
• Providing a community development service providing sustainable development programmes, which facilitate the empowerment of communities.

The services of our Department aim to help residents become self-sufficient, independent and healthy, with positive family, personal and social relationships; the ability to be active participants in communities and the greater South African society.

We therefore strive to strengthen families’ resilience to violence. Preserving family units is crucial when improving the health and functionality of children and building safer communities. Services are provided to families at risk promoting safe and protected family environments. This includes services to address domestic and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), family counselling and mediation, and drug treatment.

Focus on Gender-based Violence

Through our interventions, we’ve expanded the number of shelters in rural areas experiencing high levels of GBV. As the lead Department in the government response to GBV, we’ve developed the GBV Implementation Plan and serve as Chair on the Transversal GBV Group.

Vision

A self-reliant society.

Mission

To ensure the provision of a comprehensive network of social development services that enables and empowers the poor, the vulnerable and those with special needs.

Key Service Delivery Principles
The Department of Social Development is committed to the key service delivery principles:

• Working differently: The Department will endeavour to explore and test different and innovative way of working to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time without compromising quality. 
• Consultation and inclusion: We will pay on-going attention to meaningful engagement with our partners and stakeholders as defined in the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act. 
• Accessibility: Accessibility of services to those who need it is essential. The Department will continue modernising its structure and process where necessary over the MTEF period.

Accountability and transparency: Institutionalise good corporate governance through the implementation of results-based monitoring, evaluation and reporting, sound business process, policies, and enhancement of compliance to improve accountability and performance.