Exploring the Grants Dynamics and Underpinnings Driving to Dependence Syndrome in South Africa: A Literature Review. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kajiita, Robert M.; Kang'ethe, Simon
• Is Part Of: Journal of social sciences. Volume 49:Number 1-2(2016)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Dependency Trap -- Graduation Principle -- Grant Beneficiaries -- Social Grants -- Social Welfare; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300.5
• DOI: 10.1080/09718923.2016.11893603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-8923

Abstract

Abstract: South Africa's social security system is one of the largest in the African continent covering more than 17 million beneficiaries. This raises an alarm that the trend is likely to create a phenomenon of dependency syndrome in the country. This paper, through a literature review methodology, aimed at discussing the positive aspects of grants provision and its perfidious effects. The findings indicate that social grants prevent the poor from slipping further into poverty and settling scores of pre-apartheid imbalances. However, the following was identified as fertile grounds for breeding dependency; poorly conceptualized and implemented grant programmes and schemes; public inclination for entitlements with weak aspect of responsibilities and accountabilities; protracted unemployment; weaker developmental education concomitant with the discharge of grants; and socialization to dependence. The paper recommends on expediting the graduation principle to the grant recipients and refining the systems to distinguish between the deserving and the non-deserving grants beneficiaries.