ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of social research in the development, implementation, evaluation and ongoing review of the South Africa's welfare policies. Social development involves a 'process of planned social change designed to improve the welfare of the population as a whole in conjunction with economic development'. The South African case is an example of the role research has played in promoting the country's social development policy and its drivers. South Africa has undergone significant transformation since the demise of apartheid in 1994 and the adoption of a new welfare policy by the Mandela government Social protection for children expanded significantly after 1994. One of the most researched social development policies is the country's unconditional cash transfer programme. The chapter also discusses the model of social development research that has evolved over the past thirteen years at the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg.
