Today, 20 March, marks the final day that SASSA gold cards will be in operation. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Postbank have reassured social grant beneficiaries that they will continue to receive their payments in April, despite the discontinuation of the gold card.
Since September 2024, SASSA has been running a nationwide campaign urging grant recipients to switch from the gold card to the new black card. Initially set for completion by 28 February, the migration deadline was extended to 20 March following public concern.
From 20 March onwards, gold cards will no longer be functional, but beneficiaries will still receive their grants as usual. However, they will need to visit Postbank branches to collect their funds. The next grant payment cycle is scheduled for 3 to 5 April.
Over one million beneficiaries have successfully transitioned to the black card. “As we speak, 1.1 million beneficiaries have been processed out of our nearly 3,000,000 target. At least 46%, or 450,000, were processed in the last month and a half. In March alone, 200,000 beneficiaries have completed the swap,” said Themba Matlou, the acting CEO of SASSA.
Matlou clarified that there are 19,000,000 social grant beneficiaries in South Africa, with 15% receiving their payments via Postbank. To facilitate the card swap process, additional sites and support have been made available. “This will ensure that queues are managed effectively. As SASSA, we have also intervened by providing chairs and water to uphold the dignity of our beneficiaries at the sites,” he said.
There are 320 designated sites across South Africa, including Shoprite, Checkers, SPAR, and Boxer, where beneficiaries can exchange their gold cards for black cards. For bedridden beneficiaries, SASSA has introduced a contingency plan. Those who require home visits can contact the SASSA call centre or their local offices to arrange assistance. “We are pleading with those registering for home visits to provide a medical certificate, social worker letter, or clinic letter clearly indicating their incapacity, as there have been cases of system abuse,” added Matlou.
The migration will continue beyond the 20 March deadline at SASSA offices. Matlou acknowledged that the transition has been challenging but noted that collaboration between SASSA and Postbank has significantly improved. “We faced many challenges at the start of the year. However, our working relationship with Postbank has improved significantly, as we share the common goal of ensuring a smooth migration process. Our primary focus has been the interests of the more than 2.9 million beneficiaries who were on the SASSA gold card at the beginning of the process,” he explained.
The card swap campaign required compliance with processes set by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). Postbank, as the bank driving the migration, received support from SASSA through various initiatives to expedite the process. This included deploying additional human resources, extending working hours, and intensifying communication efforts.
SASSA also launched special Community Outreach Programmes nationwide to increase access, particularly for rural communities. These outreach efforts extended to weekends, reaching beneficiaries in community halls, Thusong Service Centres, and shopping centres.
Regulation 23(1) of the Social Assistance Act provides beneficiaries with the option to choose their preferred payment method. Consequently, SASSA has facilitated the issuance of new Postbank cards while also allowing beneficiaries to migrate to their preferred bank accounts.
SASSA remains committed to administering and distributing grants to the country’s most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, bedridden individuals, and people living with disabilities. In collaboration with Postbank, the agency has implemented plans to conduct home visits for those unable to reach card replacement sites. This process will continue beyond the 20 March deadline to ensure all beneficiaries receive assistance and are not inconvenienced in the April pay run and beyond.
Matlou reassured beneficiaries that social grant payments will continue without disruption. “Working with Postbank, SASSA assures beneficiaries across the country that social assistance will continue, and everyone will be paid as per the norm,” he said.
Beneficiaries requiring further information are encouraged to contact SASSA’s Toll-Free Customer Care number at 0800 601 011 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.
