South Africa's Department of Cooperative Governance Realigns Resources by Removing Older Beneficiaries from CWP

In a significant policy shift, the South African Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) has announced the cessation of participation in the Community Work Programme (CWP) for individuals who also receive old age grants. This decision arrives at the heels of an extensive verification process in collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and is aimed at concentrating resources on individuals who solely depend on the CWP for their subsistence.

The reallocation strategy emerged from the need to minimize instances of double-dipping, especially prevalent among participants over 60 years old. By redirecting these funds, the department aims to bolster the economic viability of the CWP and assist those without any additional financial support, thus enriching the sustainability of the program.

The DCOG is actively broadening the scope of the CWP by paving the way for greater inclusion of women, young people, and people with disabilities. Such targeted enrollment is expected to yield considerable benefits, including the enhancement of technological and artisanal skill sets amongst these demographics, ultimately striving to curtail unemployment levels.

Participants impacted by this new policy have been duly informed via formal correspondence by the implementing agencies. Their engagement with the CWP officially concluded on Friday, August 16, 2024, with the last stipend disbursed on September 25, 2024. The department acknowledges the potential personal implications for those affected but remains resolute that the long-term efficacy and durability of the programme will see improvement as a result of this policy.

The DCOG reiterates its commitment to the core objectives of poverty eradication and economic empowerment, particularly among the society's most vulnerable groups. The CWP, hailed as one of the department's transformative strategies, serves as a temporary bulwark against unemployment, fostering participants' progression from poverty to a position of self-reliance by equipping them with relevant skills and facilitating community betterment.

With an emphasis on temporary employment and support, the CWP is designed to guide participants toward autonomous socioeconomic success. The department has further refined the CWP by implementing a smart partnership model to ensure sustainable participant advancement.

In a bid to mitigate youth unemployment and skill shortfalls, the DCOG's revamped CWP framework focuses on recruiting young individuals. This initiative underlines the government's dedication to cultivating an economically and socially inclusive society, where opportunities for self-improvement and community upliftment are more evenly distributed across different segments of the population.