Izingolweni — New born children, who qualify for child support grants, may soon receive the government grant, from the first month of their birth, says Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya.

Addressing an Imbizo on Friday at Izingolweni in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Skweyiya said his department had proposed that qualifying infants, should receive grants in their first month of birth.

"The department will work closely with the Department of Home Affairs, so that the birth certificates are issued at birth and the child can then apply for the child support grant before they reach the age of one," said Mr Skweyiya.

Mr Skweyiya further said the department would also check on children who were collecting child support grants, to ensure if they were attending school or not.

"The reason for doing that it because some parents collect monies for their children, but they don't send them to school.

"We want to make sure that the children who earn grants are going to school like any other child," said Mr Skweyiya.

He promised the communities that he would come back several times to check that everything is going well.

The National Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba said his department had committed to ensure that all children who qualified to receive social grants, get birth certificates in order to do this.

"For now we will focus on the children who are in Grade 12 to make sure that they receive the ID's as they will be using them for writing their final matric examination," said Mr Gigaba.

Mr Gigaba also urged people to look after their ID's and work closely with government, in order to root out ID fraud.

Sunday marked the end of Imbizo Week which was themed: "All hands on deck for faster development".

It saw ministers, MECs and councillors interacting with various communities throughout the country.

It provided an opportunity for government to communicate its Programme of Action and the progress being made.

It also promoted participation of the public in the programmes.