This piece of research forms part of a larger research project undertaken by the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) to compile a measurement matrix of progressive realization of the socio-economic rights enshrined in the South African Constitution. Towards this outcome, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) is appointed to undertake a review of housing policy in South Africa since 1996.

This review reflects the findings of SPII’s investigation into National and Provincial budget allocations over a 5 year period 2007/08 - 2011/12.

This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the policy developments for social security before and after 1994. This analysis enables an assessment to be made on how far the constitutional obligation to progressively realise the right to social security and social assistance for those who can’t provide for themselves has been realised, and the extent to which this obligation has in fact driven the policy making process.

The budget training manual is a lasting legacy of the SPII budget training workshops, whose printing and distribution will enable other interested stakeholders to carry on the work. The material can and should be used for training on budget processes with a particular focus on local government.

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.