logo
UPDATE: SASSA Gold Cards to remain valid beyond May 2025

UPDATE: SASSA Gold Cards to remain valid beyond May 2025

Postbank has announced that South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Gold Cards will continue to work beyond the previously communicated deadline of 31 May 2025. This update ensures uninterrupted grant access for thousands of beneficiaries still using the Gold Card.
The statement, released on Thursday, clarified that the cards remain valid for all payment transactions, including ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale purchases, and cash withdrawals at Postbank's retail partners.
'Gold Cards will continue to work until every beneficiary is transitioned to the new black card,' explained Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe.
This decision is a relief for many who have yet to migrate to the new Postbank Black Card system.
Postbank cautioned beneficiaries to ignore false messaging urging them to switch banks. The CEO advised the public to disregard any unofficial communication regarding the deactivation of Gold Cards.
'We plead with them to be wary of misleading information that their Gold Cards will not work and that they need to change banks because of this,' Mbengashe said.
Beneficiaries are urged to only trust information officially released by Postbank and to verify any card-related updates directly through its channels.
The bank has observed a rise in misinformation circulating, contributing to confusion among grant recipients.
While Gold Cards remain active, Postbank has temporarily suspended the rollout of new Black Cards at its distribution sites. This pause does not affect current Black Card users, whose cards will continue functioning normally.
Services like PIN resets, card replacements for lost or stolen Black Cards, and registration for cardless payment options remain available at Postbank sites. The bank thanked beneficiaries for their patience as it works to improve service delivery and user experience.
By continuing both card types, Postbank aims to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted payments for all.
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why 85% of applicants don't comply with SPAZA shop fund
Why 85% of applicants don't comply with SPAZA shop fund

The South African

time5 hours ago

  • The South African

Why 85% of applicants don't comply with SPAZA shop fund

Four months since its launch, the R500-million spaza shop fund has failed to reach initial expectations. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition revealed recently that the spaza shop fund has attracted more than 10 000 applications. However, a worryingly low amount of spaza shop fund applications have meant compliance requirements. As such, applications have had to be split into two categories. The first group, made up of 14% who comply. And a second group of the remaining 86%, 'who do not yet meet requirements' but will be assisted. Experts say if you include South Africa's informal sector, the country's unemployment rate is actually closer to 10%, and not 33% as reported by Stats SA. Image: File A group representing the informal traders says government's 'rigid compliance criteria' is to blame for the low uptake, reports Daily Maverick . The fund is the brainchild of the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. And it came about following the 2024 poisoning of several young children. However, the South African Spaza Shops Association's Kgothatso Ramautswa, says it is 'deeply concerned' by the lack of compliance: 'This is not a reflection of spaza shop owners, but rather a failure of government to design a realistic funding support system. The fund is failing its intended beneficiaries. If 86% are non-compliant, the problem lies in the system, not the people,' Ramautswa says. South Africa's tax-free informal sector is worth billions, say economists. And the fund is a way to 'get them on the books.' Image: File However, in the face of such low compliance, the department says it will provide non-financial support. This will include assistance in applying for the necessary documentation through their local municipality for spaza shop fund applicants. The current maximum funding available per spaza shop fund is R100 000. And this is offered as a blended finance instrument, with a 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan. The debt portion of which is repayable with zero interest. As a reminder, the government's R100 000 per qualifying owner is made up like so. R40 000 for stock purchases, R10 000 for business training and R50 000 for infrastructure upgrades. As such, the package is designed to promote sustainability, competitiveness and regulatory compliance versus larger retailers. As of now, no spaza shop fund applications have actually been denied. However, in future they could be for the following non-compliance: Applicant is not a South African citizen. If the applicant is misrepresenting ownership or control of the business. Any fraudulent or misrepresentation documents in the application. Invalid or non-existent trading permit or a business licence. Use of funding for personal or non-business-related purposes. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Sassa grants to be paid next week: Here's when to collect your money
Sassa grants to be paid next week: Here's when to collect your money

The Citizen

time5 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Sassa grants to be paid next week: Here's when to collect your money

Tshona confirmed that there is a possibility some beneficiaries will be affected by payment delays again in August. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will disburse August social grants to beneficiaries next week. The agency administers more than 19 million grant payments, including the Older Persons' Pension Grant, Disability Grant, War Veterans Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Foster Child Grant, Child Support Grant, Child Support Grant Top-Up and Grant-in-Aid. Sassa grant payment dates: Older Persons' Pension Grant- Tuesday, 5 August Disability Grant- Wednesday, 6 August Children's Grants – Thursday, 7 August Sassa grant amounts: Old Age (60-74 years) and Disability grants – R2 315; Old Age (75+ years) Grant – R2 335; War Veterans Grant – R2 315; Care Dependency Grant – R2 315; Child Support Grant – R560; Foster Care Grant – R1 250; and SRD Grant – R370. 'Those affected to visit Sassa offices' Speaking to The Citizen on Monday, Sassa Senior Manager for Media Relations Andile Tshona confirmed that grants review process are still ongoing. Tshona added that there is a possibility some beneficiaries will be affected by payment delays again in August. 'We would like to appeal to those affected to visit the Sassa local offices to undertake the review process,' he said. SMSes are being issued to the beneficiaries who are expected to undergo the review process, though, due to technical issues such as changing of number, not all will receive messages. 'We also ask that beneficiaries need to have their personal details updated with Sassa to make communication with them better,' Tshona added. Tshona urged beneficiaries to start the process of appointing procurators, also known as power of attorney's to act on their behalf, if they are unable to go to Sassa offices. NOW READ: Sassa confirms removal of its name from Ubuntu Life cards

THESE are the jobs South Africa needs filled in 2025
THESE are the jobs South Africa needs filled in 2025

The South African

time6 hours ago

  • The South African

THESE are the jobs South Africa needs filled in 2025

If you're a school or university leaver, take a look at these jobs South Africa needs filled urgently. Do so and you may secure a career for life, says the Minister for Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth. Specifically, the minister is advocating for skills development to help solve South Africa's high unemployment rate (33%). And while one in every three adults sits without gainful employment, these are the jobs South Africa needs filled … Detractors of the R370 SRD grant say it creates dependance on social welfare and reduces employability. Image: File Beyond our high unemployment rate, Minister Meth believes South African suffers from severe skills mismatch, reports BusinessTech . Responding in a parliamentary Q&A, Meth says school leavers aren't getting training in the jobs South Africa needs filled. Likewise, the South African Social Security Agency was asked to go back to drawing board and rework its 2026 Basic Income Grant proposal. Government wants to see an adaptation of the current Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant with a clearer path towards skills development and employability. Medicine, financial and IT jobs are at the top of the list for South Africa's skills shortage. Image: File As such, Minister Meth says her department is tracking skills shortages and the jobs South Africa needs filled through the Employment Services South Africa (ESSA) database. While many cannot find work, there are 350 occupations in seven categories that carry a high demand score. They are as follows: 1. Medical specialists Psychiatry, Neurology, Oncology, Paediatrics, Pathology (various branches) Dentistry: Prosthodontics, Oral medicine, Maxillofacial surgery Nursing: Perioperative, Emergency, Mental health, Nurse educators Veterinarians, Veterinary nurses Public health professionals 2. Information Technology (IT) ICT security specialists Network analysts & systems engineers 3. Engineering Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Mining engineers Mechatronics & Electronics technicians Naval architects & Aeronautical engineers 4. Financial Sector Actuaries Investment analysts & managers Corporate treasurers Internal & external auditors Market research analysts Supply chain & distribution managers 5. Education & Research University lecturers Senior phase and FET schoolteachers (Grades 8–12) Research and development managers 6. Environmental Planning Urban and regional planners Environmental scientists & managers Climate change scientists Oceanographers & hydrologists 7. Technical & Trade Millwrights Lift mechanics Metal machinists Instrumentation technicians Air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store