Cape Town — Postbank has assured all social grant beneficiaries that it would still exchange the SASSA Gold Cards for its new Black Cards once the 20 March deadline passes.
There is mounting pressure on all social grant beneficiaries to switch to the new Postbank Black Cards by 20 March 2025 as beneficiaries fear there funds will be cut if they are unable to switch in time, which would leave millions without any stream of income.
Postbank has come under scrutiny by Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe who, after visiting a few Postbank sites, said the rollout of the new cards has been too slow.
According to IOL, Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe said it would still distribute cards after the 20 March deadline has passed and stressed the importance for beneficiaries to have access to their funds.
“If you don’t have a black card by the payment run of April, South African Post Office (Sapo) will be the option to get your funds. We don’t want to leave anyone stranded and not to have access to their money. We appreciate how critical this money is for the beneficiaries,” she said.
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT BY POSTBANK & SASSA: Beneficiaries who still have the SASSA Gold Card will have their March grants paid into these cards.
Beneficiaries are urged to get the Postbank Black Card before 20 March 2025. Dial *120*355# to find a list of issuing outlets in your… pic.twitter.com/2imhPU3J0K
— Postbank_SOC_Ltd (@Postbank_ZA) February 27, 2025
“Although we appreciate the 28% progress in a space of two months, swopping 797 497 cards thus far, we believe that the Postbank can still do more, working together with all outstanding beneficiaries,” Sangoni-Diko said.
The DA have also launched a campaign where its councillors help beneficiaries make the switch to the new cards. The party’s Wendy Kaizer-Philander said there was a lot of fear among recipients that they would not get their new cards and grants.
The DA said their initiative has helped more than 16 000 people.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
