Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe has confirmed that the distribution of the new South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) black cards will continue beyond the March 20 deadline.
Mbengashe explained that this deadline, however, meant that the SASSA Gold Cards will no longer be working but emphasised that the account number did not change.
She said at least one million SASSA beneficiaries have been confirmed to have successfully completed the card swap since the project started in September 2024 but most of these beneficiaries started showing up this year.
“This milestone is not only pertinent for us in terms of the progress but it’s also pertinent in the sense that more than half of this one million has been achieved in the last two months, well in the last one-and-a-half month.
“In February alone we achieved 46% of this one million. We share this number not for anything else but to emphasise that there has been rumours and conversations on whether we can go through this process. I think because we have done over 450 000 beneficiaries in one month, it is a testament to the system that it is working,” said Mbengashe.
She highlighted that in the first two weeks of March, Postbank and SASSA have achieved over 200 000 beneficiaries, however, the target has still not being reached.
SASSA acting CEO Themba Matlou acknowledged that SASSA and Postbank have faced challenges in the card migration process but emphasised that they are making good progress.
He reassured the 2.9 million SASSA beneficiaries that their needs remain a top priority.
“Our outreach programmes will also continue beyond the 20th of March as we want to ensure that we assist as many people as possible to ensure that they are not inconvenienced in the April pay run and beyond,” said Matlou.
To support elderly people, bedridden individuals, and those with disabilities, SASSA and Postbank have arranged home visits for those unable to travel to card replacement sites.
“The card swap campaign did not happen overnight, the government had to comply with the processes and prescripts outlined by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). Postbank, as the bank that drives the migration, had to be supported by SASSA on few initiatives and interventions to expedite the process.
“This required that SASSA put in place additional human resources, extending working hours to have officials work overtime as well as intensifying its communication drive,” said Matlou.
He highlighted that SASSA followed Regulation 23(1) of the Social Assistance Act, which allows beneficiaries to choose their preferred payment method. While many opted for new Postbank cards, others switched to private bank accounts.
SASSA has increased its capacity to process these changes smoothly.
“Working with Postbank, as SASSA, we want to assure our beneficiaries in all the corners of the country that social assistance will continue, and everyone will be paid as per the norm,” said Matlou.
