Department of Social Development Appropriation Bill – Vote 7 - Budget Speech

Honorable Speaker 

Honorable Premier and Cabinet colleagues, 

Honorable Members of the Provincial Legislature, 

Members of the media and public, 

Citizens of the Western Cape,

I rise today to table the Adjustment Appropriation for the Department of Social Development.

This year’s budget looks significantly different from last year’s. It reflects a department that continues to demonstrate resilience and innovation despite years of navigating a constrained fiscal environment.

The Department has received an increase of R34.220 million, bringing our adjusted allocation to R2,759,830,000.

Speaker,

As a department, we have achieved much with very little, and now, entrusted with a little more, we will scale up services to those who need them the most.

This would not be possible without our dedicated management team and our hardworking staff, who respond to increasing service demands each day with compassion and commitment.

The additional R21 million in funding will strengthen several critical areas:

• Social Worker Integrated Management System (SWIMS)

R2 million has been allocated to expand the SWIMS application.

SWIMS is already transforming case management by significantly reducing administrative burdens. The system digitises client files, enables greater compliance with norms and standards, and frees social workers to spend more time in direct service to clients.

It also reduces the risk of cases slipping through the cracks and strengthens referral pathways between Western Cape Government departments and partner NGOs.

1163 DSD social work professionals are using the system.

We have also rolled out SWIMS to three Designated Child Protection Organisations — StellCare (47 users), Valley Development Projects (17 users), and ACVV (200 users) — benefiting more than 260 social workers. 

The Western Cape Education Department’s 73 social workers are already on the system, and we recently commenced training with the Department of Health and Wellness (23 social workers trained so far, with more to come in the new year).

• Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE)

R2 million has been allocated to the EASE programme.

This is a joint initiative of DSD, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the Western Cape Education Department, and the Department of Health and Wellness. It delivers structured, evidence-based emotional regulation support to youth.

With mental health challenges among young people on the rise, EASE equips learners aged 10 to 14 with tools to understand and manage their emotions, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and build long-term wellbeing.

Emotional stability is foundational to educational success, employability, and safer communities.

• TIME Programme for Rural Communities

R2 million has been allocated to the TIME programme, which strengthens coping skills and emotional regulation in rural areas.

Rural families face unique pressures: distance, poverty, and limited access to services. TIME deepens community-based support by equipping households with parenting skills, early intervention services, and psychosocial support.

It will also assist individuals battling substance use disorders to make healthier, more constructive use of their time.

• Strengthening Care for Older Persons

R15 million has been allocated to strengthen services for older persons — the custodians of our history and anchors of many households.

This includes:

• R5 million to increase bed spaces in Residential Facilities for Older Persons, specifically Level 1 (healthy, indigent older persons) — a category previously unfunded.
• R10 million to enhance health, nutrition, and dignity programmes. Facilities may use this for essential needs such as additional carers and nurses, incontinence products, medication, nursing call systems, and other operational supports.

This is how a caring government honours those who built the foundation we stand on.

Speaker,

R1 million has been allocated for a new service dedicated to children exiting alternative residential care.

While child protection remains a core priority, many young people leave care and find themselves vulnerable once again due to limited support.

We have researched best-practice interventions to build resilience and prevent reintegration into at-risk environments. The Department is embarking on a pilot programme on independent living support. This pilot will:

• Develop industry standards,
• Expand services for children preparing to exit Child and Youth Care Centres, and
• Fund three independent living organisations supporting 40 young people leaving alternative care.

Phase 1 begins in January. If successful, we aim to expand this programme, protecting the multi-million rand investment made in vulnerable children and supporting their transition to responsible, resilient adulthood.

Speaker,

This financial year, we delivered three specially adapted vehicles to NGOs serving children with profound intellectual disabilities and their families. These vehicles - funded through a rollover of R5.7 million - ensure safe, affordable, and dignified access to quality basic education.

This brings the total number of adapted vehicles delivered to 17, thanks to collaboration with the Mobility Department and the Department of Education. We encourage businesses wishing to partner with us to come forward so we can continue breaking down barriers to access.

We have also paid GMT R5.6 million for an additional four vehicles to be delivered next financial year.

This demonstrates the Western Cape Government’s ongoing commitment not only to vulnerable residents, but also to the organisations strengthening our hand.

Speaker,

I thank the Minister of Finance for reaffirming support for the Cape Care Fund: the Social Development–Health Foundation partnership that mobilises off-budget funding for care programmes.

This mechanism allows us to:

• Pilot new interventions,
• Attract philanthropic capital, and
• Expand services despite national constraints.

This is a government that leverages, not merely spends. A government that innovates, supports partners, and invests in the NPOs that help us serve the vulnerable. We do not leave organisations in the cold: we support them.

Honourable Speaker,

This department fully utilises its resources. We have consistently demonstrated responsible, transparent, and accountable spending for the benefit of those who depend on us.

And we stand ready to do more.

As we conclude the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, we await further clarity on the national classification of GBV and femicide as a national disaster. What we know for certain is this:

We are ready to responsibly and compassionately manage any additional funding that flows from this decision – provided our province receives its fair share.

We will continue scaling up support for every vulnerable resident: every child, older person, survivor of GBV, person with a disability, and every individual battling substance use disorder.

To the NGOs and NPOs who strengthen our hand: thank you. Your work is not easy, but your passion drives change.

To DSD staff, management, and HOD Dr Robert Macdonald: thank you for your tireless dedication to the residents of the Western Cape.

To my Ministry staff, led by Bernhard Lotriet: thank you for your unwavering support and for walking this road with me in service of our province.

Thank you.