The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Home Affairs set up at Sarepta Community Hall on Friday 21 August, bringing essential government services closer to residents.

The so-called Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme was led by Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks, together with Sassa Western Cape Regional Executive Manager Lungelwa Makaula.

Hendricks, who pointed out that the hall was full, with enough people outside to fill another two halls, said the event was organised because many residents cannot reach Sassa offices.

“A lot of these people can’t get out to Sassa, so we’ve brought all government services here,” he said. “Home Affairs have two caravans here, so people can get assistance because they need to have IDs, they need to have birth certificates.”

Appointments

Police were also present to assist with affidavits. Hendricks said nearly 40 Sassa officials were deployed from offices across the Western Cape.

He acknowledged that not everyone could be helped on the day. “This morning, I insisted that those who can’t be assisted must get an appointment so they don’t have to stand in queues. They know what day to go, they have an appointment, so no one will be left out. It’s very important that people get their social grants if they’re entitled to it.”

Hendricks said the National Development Agency was also present as government also wants to create sustainable livelihoods. “There comes a time when you don’t qualify for the grant, and then you must be able to get a sustainable livelihood opportunity,” he said.

According to Hendricks it costs government about R1 million to organise such an outreach. He said he would insist the next outreach runs over three days. “We can’t just be here for a few hours; I’ve told them (Sassa) I want them to be here for three days.”

Sassa challenges and grant schedule

Makaula acknowledged challenges facing Sassa, including long queues, wrongdoing and fraud within communities. She said Sassa is attending to these issues and stressed the need to safeguard the budget to pay the right beneficiaries at the right time.

She said Sassa’s Cape Town office covers a population of more than 4,7 million, with the East-directorate local office administering 161 569 social grants to 123 103 beneficiaries.

Makaula outlined the daily schedule for grant applications at local offices: older person grants on Mondays, disability grants on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, children’s grants on Thursdays, and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants on Fridays.

She pointed out that residents who visit a Sassa office on the incorrect day may find their needs less prioritised.

Attendees

There were mixed reactions from attendees standing in the long queues. While there was general consensus that the outreach was welcome, many felt it should be extended to multiple days.

Some felt the event and the services available should have been advertised better. “I’ve heard that Sassa would be here, but I was surprised to see Home Affairs too”, said one woman standing in the queue who wanted to apply for a smart card ID. She was hoping that her driver’s licence card would be sufficient identification as she did not have her old green ID book with her.

Some local residents expressed unhappiness that attendees had come from other areas, such as Durbanville and Kraaifontein. Asked about this, Sivuyile Magcoba, local Sassa office manager in Khayelitsha, made it clear that Sassa is a government service for citizens. “It’s not only meant for the community here. All the community around the area, they are free to come for the services.”

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