The South African Human Rights Commission is pleased with the commitment to alleviate poverty as expressed by the President of the Republic of South Africa in his opening speech today in parliament. Whilst the country has made strides towards consolidation of our democracy, poverty alleviation remains an issue that needs constructive, workable, and implementable strategies. The Commission has adopted poverty alleviation as one of its key focal areas for its second term thus in terms of its mandate the Commission will continue to closely monitor developments and programmes in this area.

Given the context of continuing poverty we are pleased that the President mentioned that the R1, 5 billion made available for social grants would be augmented further this year. The intention to further expand services to the people including older persons and people with disabilities is commendable. Some of the measures mentioned were the provision of free health care to people with disabilities, the extension of the child grants to cover children up to the age of 14, feeding scheme at schools, and reaching 50% of those who are eligible for free basic water but have no access to this service. All these initiatives are consistent with advancing the realisation of the various socio-economic rights guaranteed in our constitution.

Social service delivery has been characterised by uncoordinated, inefficient, and often wasteful expenditure and thus the Commission welcomes the intention to set up a National Social Security Agency. We hope that this will improve social service delivery and lead to a more efficient, speedy and substantial service. The Commission also welcomes the increase in resources of the criminal justice system and expresses its hope that these resources will be used efficiently.

The Commission supports the anti-war initiatives and the principle of global decision-making. While ewe are encouraging Iraq to comply with UN resolution the Commission wishes that we would also use our goodwill and moral standing to urge Iraqi government to improve its Human rights record.

Whilst the Commission supports the continued engagement with Zimbabwe, we also must make the observation that dissatisfactory resolution of the conflict that exists in Zimbabwe is critical in advancement the objectives of both the AU and NEPAD.

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
Date: 14 February 2003
For more Information contact: Phumla Mthala
Tel: (011) 484-8300/ 072 338 3872

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