The aim of this paper is to provide a reflective analysis, twenty years after
democracy, of social assistance grants in accomplishing their primary
objective of closing the poverty gap and inequality. Literature reviewed show
that in the absence of any other safety net, access to social grants reduces
destitution for many poor people and their households. However, various
indicators confirm that even though poverty appears to have declined in the
recent past, there are still millions of poor people who are exceedingly
vulnerable and at risk. Unemployment levels have been fluctuating, but the
trend has been upwards. Also, other researchers have argued that social
grants are running the risk of being perceived as state hand-outs with over
16 million recipients benefiting. This paper therefore informs the policy
makers of the expectations after 20 years of democracy and the reality 20
years after democracy