Unpacking the maternity grant: A lifeline for South African moms

The South African government has taken another step towards improving the lives of its citizens by introducing the Maternity Support Grant (MSG), a policy aimed at assisting vulnerable pregnant women.

While still in the draft stages, this initiative is set to address a pressing need in a country where many women face financial difficulties during pregnancy.

What will the grant do?

The proposed grant is not just about handing out money; it’s part of a broader strategy to improve maternal and child health in South Africa.

The main goals of the grant include:

• Improving health outcomes: By providing financial support, the grant aims to reduce the risks associated with poor maternal nutrition and healthcare. This could lead to fewer complications during pregnancy and childbirth and better health outcomes for babies in their first 1 000 days.

• Supporting vulnerable women: Many pregnant women are unable to work or afford essential items like food, vitamins, and healthcare. The grant is designed to offer them some relief, allowing them to focus on their health and the health of their unborn child.

• Addressing stunting: stunting is a condition caused by chronic malnutrition. It affects a significant number of children in South Africa. By ensuring that mothers are well-nourished and receive proper care during pregnancy, the government hopes to reduce the incidence of stunting and other long-term health problems.

• Promoting Birth Registration: One of the key objectives of the grant is to assist the Department of Home Affairs in registering all births within 30 days. This will ensure that every child born in South Africa is documented, which is critical for accessing future social services like healthcare and education.

How will it work?

The draft policy suggests that the MSG will be available from the first trimester of pregnancy and will continue to support mothers and their children up to the child’s second birthday.

This means that women who are struggling financially will have access to assistance early on, helping them prepare for the birth and ensuring they can provide basic care for their newborns.

Additionally, the policy aims to assist other governmental departments, like Home Affairs, in registering births within 30 days. This is a critical part of ensuring that children born in South Africa have access to social services and are included in official records from the start.

Policy-making in South Africa is a detailed and thorough process. The Maternity Support Grant has been in development for over a decade, going through numerous studies, consultations, and workshops.

After the initial feasibility study in 2012, an Interdepartmental Task Team (IDTT) was created, including representatives from the Departments of Health, Social Development, Home Affairs, Education, and Labour, among others. These departments worked together, alongside national and international organisations, to explore the best ways to support pregnant women and their children.

In 2015, a workshop concluded that many pregnancy-related services already existed across different departments, but they needed to be better linked. This realisation led to the creation of a more unified approach. The Maternity Support Grant is a key piece of that puzzle.

Between May 2022 and March 2023, the Department of Social Development held extensive consultations across the country. A total of 27 consultations took place, ensuring that voices from all sectors of society were heard – government, civil society, organised labour, and potential beneficiaries.

The draft policy has now been reviewed and approved by the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster, a key step in the policy-making process. It is now awaiting Cabinet approval before being opened up for public comment.

Once this happens, South Africans will have the opportunity to provide feedback and help shape the final version of the policy.

What this means for South Africans:

If implemented, the Maternity Support Grant could have a significant impact on the lives of many South African women.

For those already struggling to make ends meet, the grant will provide much-needed financial support during a critical time in their lives. It will also help ensure that they receive the medical care they need, both for themselves and for their unborn children.

Additionally, the grant will play a role in addressing broader social issues like stunting and infant health.

By providing support in the early stages of a child’s development, the government hopes to improve long-term outcomes for children across the country.

For now, the Maternity Support Grant remains in the draft stage, awaiting further input from the public and final approval from the government.

However, it represents a significant step forward in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive social assistance to its most vulnerable citizens.

If the policy is approved, it will be up to all South Africans to ensure it is implemented effectively.

Pregnant women across the country will need to be made aware of the support available to them, and the government will need to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is is in place to deliver the grant and related services.

Cape Times