This is the third paper published by the Social Policy Initiative (SPI) during the second half of 2022 on economic transformation.

This exercise encourages public accountability in support of the constitutional commitment to advance socio-economic rights. The relationship between the positive duties of the State in Sections 26(2) and 27(2) and the general limitations clause is a complex one. However, the State's positive duties are defined in terms of the adoption of reasonable measures, as we will see in the following section. If the State's conduct or omissions are found to be unreasonable at the outset of the constitutional inquiry, it is difficult to imagine situations in which it could still succeed in establishing a reasonable limitation of the right under Section 36.

Social security in essence is the guarantee of access to sufficient income across a person’s life, from dependent child to adult with income – earning potential, to a retired older person. This paper focuses on the social assistance leg of social security. Social assistance refers to the monthly cash grants paid by the state to people deemed to meet their eligibility criteria.

Social Security Spring Symposium 21 November 2022.