SSL2601 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE 12 AUGUST 2026
Lebo has applied for the position of project manager at a small non-profit
organization which mainly provides support to social workers in various
communities. Lebo has subsequently been appointed to this role, which involves
dealing with social workers who assist destitute people from various
communities as well as assisting them with numerous applications for
submission to the Department of Social Development. She has been reading up
on social security in South Africa but still has a way to go. You have been asked
to assist Lebo to understand various concepts of social security law. Fully advise
her on the objectives of social security law.
Lebo, as you begin your role assisting social workers and destitute communities with
applications to the Department of Social Development, understanding the objectives of
social security law is fundamental. Social security is essentially about providing a safety
net for society against economic and social hardships
(SSL2601 Study Guide, LU 1, p. 7).
, 2. THE CORE OBJECTIVES
2.1 Providing a Safety Net & Alleviating Poverty
The primary objective is to prevent people from falling into poverty and to lift those
already experiencing financial hardship out of poverty. Social security achieves this
through financial support (grants) and social services. It is not merely curative (providing
compensation) but also preventative and remedial (LU 1, p. 13).
2.2 Promoting Social and Economic Equality
Social security law aims to redistribute available resources to those in need and
establish a policy framework for risk protection. In South Africa, it also serves to correct
historical inequalities inherited from the apartheid era, which excluded the majority from
social protection (LU 1, pp. 8-9).
2.3 Ensuring a Minimum Standard of Living
The law seeks to provide a minimum standard of living below which no one should fall.
This is directly rooted in section 27(1)(c) of the Constitution, which guarantees everyone
the right to access social security, including "appropriate" social assistance.
"Appropriateness" means benefits must be sufficient to meet basic needs and uphold
human dignity (LU 2, p. 24).
2.4 Income Replacement and Adjustment
Social security functions as an income replacement system for when individuals
experience a loss of earnings due to risks such as:
DUE 12 AUGUST 2026
Lebo has applied for the position of project manager at a small non-profit
organization which mainly provides support to social workers in various
communities. Lebo has subsequently been appointed to this role, which involves
dealing with social workers who assist destitute people from various
communities as well as assisting them with numerous applications for
submission to the Department of Social Development. She has been reading up
on social security in South Africa but still has a way to go. You have been asked
to assist Lebo to understand various concepts of social security law. Fully advise
her on the objectives of social security law.
Lebo, as you begin your role assisting social workers and destitute communities with
applications to the Department of Social Development, understanding the objectives of
social security law is fundamental. Social security is essentially about providing a safety
net for society against economic and social hardships
(SSL2601 Study Guide, LU 1, p. 7).
, 2. THE CORE OBJECTIVES
2.1 Providing a Safety Net & Alleviating Poverty
The primary objective is to prevent people from falling into poverty and to lift those
already experiencing financial hardship out of poverty. Social security achieves this
through financial support (grants) and social services. It is not merely curative (providing
compensation) but also preventative and remedial (LU 1, p. 13).
2.2 Promoting Social and Economic Equality
Social security law aims to redistribute available resources to those in need and
establish a policy framework for risk protection. In South Africa, it also serves to correct
historical inequalities inherited from the apartheid era, which excluded the majority from
social protection (LU 1, pp. 8-9).
2.3 Ensuring a Minimum Standard of Living
The law seeks to provide a minimum standard of living below which no one should fall.
This is directly rooted in section 27(1)(c) of the Constitution, which guarantees everyone
the right to access social security, including "appropriate" social assistance.
"Appropriateness" means benefits must be sufficient to meet basic needs and uphold
human dignity (LU 2, p. 24).
2.4 Income Replacement and Adjustment
Social security functions as an income replacement system for when individuals
experience a loss of earnings due to risks such as:
