Postbank CEO, Nikki Mbengashe, reported that 880,000 Postbank black cards have been distributed: 536,000 in the initial five months, and 334,000 in the following 12 days. Distribution is ongoing at 1,554 retail sites, with the deadline set for 30 June 2025.
Whether you have your yellow card or your black card, your money will go into your account. Whether you were able to register for a cardless solution or not, you will still get your money,
Despite progress, Committee Chairperson Bridget Masango raised concerns about ongoing operational glitches and reports of non-functional black cards, leading to "panic on the ground."
Sassa Grant Distribution and Card Transition
Sassa distributes over 18 million permanent 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. Many of the beneficiaries of these grants still use a Sassa gold card.
Initially, Sassa gold cards were to remain valid until all beneficiaries received black cards. However, the deadline was initially set to the end of February 2025, then extended to 20 March 2025 following stakeholder pressure.
Postbank have been criticised for their handling of the rollout with parliamentary labelling the process as inefficient.
Sassa Support and Intervention
Acting Sassa CEO, Mr Themba Matlou announced several interventions to assist postbank with the rollout of new black cards for social grant beneficiaries.
This includes increasing card distribution sites and prioritising areas where shortages are identified.
We have also deployed additional Sassa staff to most of the sites to manage queues and support beneficiaries including introducing express queues for older persons and those who are frail.
