Aged Persons Amendment Act, 1998 (Act No.100 of 1998)
National Welfare Act, 1978 (Act 100 of 1978)
Social Service Professions Act, 1978 (Act No. 110 of 1978)
Child Care Act, 1983 (Act No.74 of 1983)The Child Care Act, 1983 which provides for the establishment of children’s courts and the appointment of commissioners of child welfare, for the protection and welfare of certain children, for the adoption of children and for the establishment of certain institutions for the reception of children and for the treatment of children after such reception, was amended in 1996 to provide for legal representation of children and for the registration of shelters. The 1998 amendment provided for the rights of certain natural fathers where the adoption of their children born out of wedlock has been proposed and for certain notice to be given. The 1999 amendment provided for the establishment of secure care facilities and for the prohibition against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The department and the South African Law Commission are currently finalising comprehensive children's legislation in order to be consistent with international obligation on children. Probation Service Amendment Act, 2002 (Act No.35 of 2002)
Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, 1992 (Act No. 20 of 1992)This Act provides for the establishment of a Central Drug Authority, the establishment of programmes for the prevention and treatment of drug dependency, the establishment of treatment centres and hostels, the registration of institutions as treatment centres and hostels and the committal of certain persons to and their detention, treatment and training in such treatment centres or registered treatment centres. The Act was amended in 1996 to extend the application of the Act to the whole of the national territory of the Republic and in 1999 to establish the Central Drug Authority. The Central Drug Authority is charged with the responsibility to effect the National Drug Master Plan. Social Assistance Act, 1992 (Act No. 59 of 1992) and Welfare Laws Amendment Act, 1997 (Act No. 106 of 1997)The Social Assistance Act, 1992 provides for the rendering of social assistance to persons, national councils and welfare organisations. The Act was amended in 1994 to further regulate the provision of grants and financial awards to certain persons and bodies. In 1997 the Welfare Laws Amendment Act, 1997 amended the Social Assistance Act, 1992 in order to introduce the Child Support Grant and to abolish maintenance grants. Non-Profit Organisations Act, 1997 (Act No. 71 of 1997)This Act repealed the Fund-raising Act, 1997, excluding the chapter, which deals with the relief funds, and provided for an environment in which non-profit organisations could flourish. The Act also established an administrative and regulatory framework within which non-profit organisations could conduct their affairs. The Act was amended in 2000 to effect certain textual alterations. National Development Agency Act, 1998 (Act No. 108 of 1998)The National Development Agency Act, 1998 provides for a national funding, capacity building and coordination structure known as the National Development Agency (NDA). The NDA is mandated to grant funds to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), enhance capacity and promote development dialogue, whilst meeting the developmental needs of poor communities. Advisory Board on Social Development Act, 2001 (Act No. 3 of 2001)The Act provides for a national advisory structure, known as the Advisory Board on Social Development, in the social development sector with the aim of building and consolidating partnership between government and civil society. Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act No. 166 of 1998)The Domestic Violence Act (Act No. 166 of 1998) provides for the protection of victims of crime within the domestic setting. It is implemented with other Acts including the Sexual Offence Act. It compels all Acts in the criminal justice system to monitor & care for the victims and survivors of crime. White Paper for Social Welfare, 1997The White Paper sets out the principles, guidelines, proposed policies and programmes for developmental social welfare in South Africa. As the primary policy document, the White Paper serves as the foundation for social welfare in the post 1994 era.. White Paper on Population Policy for South Africa, 1998The White Paper aims to promote the integration of population issues in development planning with the view of achieving sustainable human development. The Department of Social Development is responsible for monitoring population trends and for supporting national, provincial and local spheres of government through capacity building, research and information dissemination on population issues. Social Assistance Act No. 13 of 2004This Act has made the provision of social security the competency of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) since 1st April 2006. The Department, however, still has a critical role to play, especially foster placements. Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005)The Children's Act was promulgated in 2005. The Act is aligned with Government's "First Call for Children" and "Putting Children First" policies. The Act constitutes a comprehensive rewrite of the Child Care Act, 1983 and, amongst others, is aimed at addressing South Africa's international law and constitutional obligations towards children. Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act No. 13 of 2006)This Act which intends to replace the Aged Persons Act, 1967 represents a new development approach to ageing and will maintain and promote the status of older persons, the rights of older persons as recipients of services and the well-being, safety and security of older persons. It also provides for the establishment and appointment of an Ombudsperson for Older Persons and nine provincial Ombudsperson |