Social Protection as a Tool to Promote Healthy Human Relationships in South Africa

Abstract

This chapter examines social protection in South Africa and argues that it has a potential to promote healthy human relationships in the country. This chapter uses historical evidence to trace the evolution of the social protection agenda in post-1994 and demonstrates how the evolution and interventions of the former have enabled the South African society to begin promoting healthy human relationships. Part of the evolution approach is backed up by empirical evidence gleaned from the research findings of doctoral study in two communities of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. These findings showed how social protection measures had strengthened healthy human relationships through new patterns of interaction that emerged. This chapter, through the use of evidence, illustrates how these interventions helped to create strong human relationships as people were able to access health care, sufficient food and water. In addition, women’s positions as food producers and managers were strengthened and, in the process, boosting family budgeting.