Ramaphosa praises SA social protection programmes

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa says while poverty persists there can be no true freedom.

Writing in Monday's 'from the desk of the president', Ramaphosa quoted former president Nelson Mandela, ahead of Mandela Day in eight days.

READ: Ramaphosa: Women bear the brunt of poverty

He's praised government's social protection programmes saying they've provided vital support to millions.

The president says government's social protection goes beyond social grants for the elderly, children, people with disabilities and military veterans.

He says government spends about 60% of it's budget on the social wage including free basic services to over 11-million households, free basic education to over 13-million learners and health care to over 50 million people that don't medical aid.

Ramaphosa says it's only a growing economy that will ensure funds needed to strengthen social protection measures.

Through an integrated and comprehensive system of social support, we are not only meeting our collective responsibility to the most vulnerable in society. We are also investing in our country’s future. https://t.co/cnGteN8cni pic.twitter.com/jdfvTkPTn9

— Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 10, 2023