SASSA extends deadline for Gold Card transition to Postbank Black Card, but committees is concerned over queues, delays, and communication strategy.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is actively moving social grant beneficiaries from SASSA Gold cards to Postbank Black cards.
The Portfolio Committees for Social Development and Communication and Digital Technologies recognised this important transition, stressing the need for continuous grant availability but also voicing concerns about the process.
The original deadline for the transition was February 28, 2025, however, it has now been extended to March 20, 2025.
This extension intends to provide beneficiaries more time to obtain the new Postbank Black Card.
Despite the delayed deadline, recipients without a Black Card can still get their funds at the nearest South African Post Office branch.
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite the extension, the Portfolio Committees have expressed deep concerns about the project’s planning and implementation, particularly the communication strategy around the transition, which they consider insufficient.
Beneficiaries have experienced major inconveniences, such as queues and slow service, raising questions about their treatment.
A lack of card renewal sites, particularly in rural areas, has made it difficult for beneficiaries to obtain new cards.
To address these problems, the committees made many suggestions, including the need for SASSA and Postbank to collaborate with the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) to improve communication by using its network and expertise.
They proposed the deployment of mobile offices in rural areas to provide faster support and reduce dependency on retail stores in urban areas. Postbank was urged to step up its efforts to ensure beneficiaries are treated with decency and given timely help.
Postbank has been actively working to ease the transition, including picking card replacement sites based on beneficiaries’ withdrawal preferences, especially at stores like Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, and Boxer. They may easily identify the nearest card collection station by dialling *120*218*3#.
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Updated: 20 February 2025 Thursday
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