Black Sash welcomes basic income grant progress
While the organisation is encouraged by the progress, it has also raised concerns about key issues surrounding the grant's implementation.
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The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
LATEST adjustments for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025
It's all change for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025. Just yesterday, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe tabled her social welfare budget vote in Parliament for the 2025/26 financial year. And the impact of the agency's outlined cost-cutting commitments will surely be felt on SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025. Specifically, when it comes to beneficiary income verification and the fourth payment date added to the SASSA cycle. Here's what you need to know … All the latest on SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025, including the new fourth payment date for those under review. Image: File This week, South African Social Security Agency CEO Temba Matlou confirmed the introduction of a new fourth payment date for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025. Interestingly, this pertains to SASSA recipients who have had their monthly grants withheld, pending income verification with the agency. Previously, SASSA had to provide beneficiaries three months' notice in writing before a grant review could take place. However, since above-inflation grant increases back in April 2025, the National Treasury has been on a mission to cut costs, reduce wastage and generally tighten its belt. Now those under review merely receive an SMS … The Social Development Minister presented her budget vote in Parliament this week. Image: File As such, the agency revealed that nearly a quarter of a million social welfare grants have been withheld since May 2025. However, SASSA insists that SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 will not be suspended erroneously. In fact, beneficiaries under review have three months to come forward and prove their income and assets are above board before payment is suspended. However, the challenge SASSA finds using this new approach is that its offices/branches are now overwhelmed with people under review. Plus, SASSA admits that as many as 140 000 SMSes sent to clients were not delivered. This is because SASSA applications are often made on a friend/family members' phone. These numbers change and/or the clients move without updating SASSA. The elderly are being put under severe strain due to increasing electricity, grocery and general living costs. Image: File As The South African reported previously, if you are selected for review, you will be asked to bring a recent bank statement, work payslip and copy your ID (plus your child's ID if applicable). Moreover, if it is proven you over-stepped the income threshold, you can must pay back the money owed in full. SASSA can provide you a custom repayment system. Unfortunately, the 'lay-away option' for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 will accrue interest and end up costing more over the long term. The new fourth payment date – which typically will fall on the first Friday of each month – is for beneficiaries who have resolved their income review. Three repayment options include doing so in-person at any SASSA branch office. Making a bank transfer to a SASSA regional bank account. Or arranging a debit order that goes off each month through your bank. The DA has warned that no new alternative for SASSA clients with Postbank has been arranged after their contract ends in October 2025. Image: File Nevertheless, if your financial affairs are above board, you don't need to worry about your SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 being reviewed. New applicants can follow the below list of requirements: You must be over 60 to qualify SASSA Old-Age Grants 2025. to qualify SASSA Old-Age Grants 2025. Bring an official RSA identity document (ID). Provide all documents proving your marital status. Supply a proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it). Show all proof of income and/or financial dividends. Bring any information regarding assets, valuation of property. You must declare any private pension in your name. Provide a valid three months' statement certified by your bank (no older than three months'). Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) membership book, or discharge certificate from your previous employer. A copy of your will, and first and final liquidation and distribution accounts if your spouse has passed away in the last five years. We still wait to see if the National Treasury will announce another SASSA grant increase – as is typically the case – in October 2025. Image: File Crucial to securing SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 is proving to the agency that you are sufficiently under privileged. Therefore, your assets and income cannot exceed the following: Earn less than R8 070 per month ( R96 840 per year) if single. per month ( per year) if single. Earn less than R16 140 per month ( R193 680 per year) if married. per month ( per year) if married. Total assets must not be less than R1 372 800 if single. if single. Total assets must be less than R2 745 600 if married. If you are denied access to SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025, note that you do have 90 days to lodge an appeal with the Department of Social Development (DSD) HERE. Be sure to diarise the remaining Older Person payment dates for the rest of 2025. Image: File Moreover, while it is a slightly longer gap to the pay date for SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025, thankfully the four-week cycle returns next month: AUGUST – Tuesday 5 August 2025 SEPTEMBER – Tuesday 2 September 2025 OCTOBER – Thursday 2 October 2025 NOVEMBER – Tuesday 4 November 2025 DECEMBER – Tuesday 2 December 2025 Those who have SASSA Old-Age Grants in August 2025 under review, can try these provincial contacts for urgent assistance: Toll-free number: 080 060 1011 WhatsApp number: +27 82 046 8553 Eastern Cape: 043 707 6300 Gauteng: 011 241 8320 Mpumalanga: 013 754 9446 Limpopo: 015 291 7509 North West: 018 388 4006 Free State: 051 410 8339 North West: 053 802 4919 KwaZulu-Natal: 033 846 3324 Western Cape: 021 469 0235 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.
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
7 reasons WHY South Africa has an uncompetitive economy
South Africa's uncompetitive economy has been hiding in plain sight for years, say many top industry leaders. However, the World Bank has released a new report, explaining exactly why South Africa is one of the least competition-friendly economies in the world to do business in. However, it's not all doom and gloom for South Africa, as the bank also lists all the things that have improved drastically over the last twelve months. In its 'Driving Inclusive Growth in South Africa' report, the bank says the country is, in fact, far better off than in 2024, thanks to improved electricity supply and various structural reforms. The SASSA SRD grant will soon be transformed into a Basic Income Grant for the unemployed. But job creation would be better. Image: File Nevertheless, the World Bank still thinks South Africa is beset by several onerous regulations that make it an uncompetitive economy in which to do business: For example, the new Employment Equity quotas that come into effect on 1 September 2025 will further burden business. will further burden business. Moreover, South Africa's uncompetitive economy suffers from poor business dynamism and minimal job creation. This, in turn, leads to a lack of competition within the economy and an over-reliance on social welfare, which acts like a handbrake on economic growth. As such, the World Bank believes 'short-term wins' will create momentum and start to achieve a successful economic transformation. Key to strengthening South Africa's uncompetitive economy is easing various regulatory burdens on businesses. There are only 'one-third of the new business ventures in South Africa,' compared with other typical middle-income countries. A such, no enough new businesses – whether small, medium or large – are being created. Therefore, there are no new employable South Africans contributing to the economy. Even a few 'small wins' will help turn the tide for South Africa's uncompetitive economy, says the World Bank. Image: File Therefore, the World Bank says increased market competition will boost an uncompetitive economy and promote innovation. It says South Africa must, 'Rebalance its economic model by making it easier for investors and young workers to enter the market.' One way to achieve this is to reduce state-owned enterprises. These currently operate like monopolies in South Africa and are highly inefficient and wasteful of taxpayer money, reports Daily Investor . In conclusion, the bank says there's no obvious reason why such an approach, coupled with smart regulations, cannot be applied to help kickstart South Africa's uncompetitive economy. 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.
The Herald
7 days ago
- The Herald
Surge in number of Sassa beneficiaries cut off without explanation — Black Sash raises concern amid reviews
Black Sash argued that communication is not sufficient, especially for people in rural areas. 'We reject the notion that SMSs and bulk communication are sufficient or effective. 'Black Sash has consistently called Sassa out on its poor communication strategy and bulk communication in a short time does not address the issue of beneficiaries not receiving their grants within a reasonable time in a way that Sassa can constitute adequate notice confirming that the beneficiary has been informed. It is the state's duty to provide reliable, direct and accessible communication and not to shift the blame onto those who are most excluded from formal systems.' The organisation called on Sassa to ensure fairness, transparency and dignity during the review process. It urged Sassa to pause the review process until effective, community-based communication strategies are in place. 'Black Sash does not oppose fair and lawful grant reviews. But a review process that results in confusion, exclusion and hunger without due process is not a review. 'While we appreciate the attempt to explain the legal framework and rationale behind the reviews, the reality for grant recipients on the ground tells a far more troubling story, one that cannot be brushed aside by semantics, administrative language or internal justifications. 'Social grants are not just a bureaucratic process, they are a lifeline, a constitutional right and a matter of life and dignity for millions. We urge Sassa to act swiftly and justly.' TimesLIVE
