​Qaqambile Mdledle
The province has made good progress in broadening social assistance and social insurance since 1994. However, there is still more to be done.
The provincial Department of Social Development, working in partnership with other spheres of government, the private sector and civil society, has made a substantial progress in the realisation of the Growing Gauteng Together (GGT2030) plan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home the stark reality that 19% (3 million) of Gauteng residents are unable to meet their daily nutritional needs. 
"The War on Poverty Profiling Programme is one of the most successful in this regard, by providing more than 2 889 695 households with food relief. Our food relief efforts were boosted by the Solidarity Fund contribution of R40 million," says the department.
During the 2020/21 financial year, a total of 46 920 job opportunities for young people were created through the provincial Youth Structures Programmes exceeding the target of 33 299. Furthermore, the programmes enabled 55 092 youth to participate in various skills development programmes through youth structures exceeding the 45 087 targets.
Meanwhile, more than 2, 3 million young girls have benefited from the Dignity Packs Programme which provides sanitary towels to young girls residing in poor households.
The project aims to restore the dignity of schoolgirls who have poor school attendance and low self-esteem as a result of lack of financial resources, essential for affordable basic toiletries and sanitary towels.
According to the Department of Social Development, older persons continue to be vulnerable to different forms of abuse from communities and diseases associated with old age.
Government aims to enhance the quality of life and improve the health of older persons by engaging them in programmes that promote social, physical, mental and emotional well-being to prevent or delay the onset of ageing challenges and keep old age related illnesses at bay.
The department ensured 17 436 older persons were reached through service provided by funded community-based care and support facilities. The department active ageing programmes reached 9 778 older persons including gym facilities.