Grant beneficiaries who have not swapped over to the new Postbank black cards are urged to make the change ahead of the March 20 deadline.
Speaking at a media briefing, Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe, said more than one million recipients have heeded the call.
"Postbank is encouraged to announce that we have achieved a significant milestone in our replacement of SASSA gold cards with Postbank black cards. As of 10 March 2025, we successfully swapped over 1 million social grant beneficiaries from the SASSA gold card to the new improved, and more compliant Postbank black cards," she said.
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"To those that are yet to replace their SASSA gold cards, we encourage you to still head to a Postbank card replacement site to get your black cards," Mbengashe added.
She said grant beneficiaries will be able to make the card swap at selected Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, PicknPay, Boxer and Spar stores.
The CEO explained that from March 20, the current South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) gold cards will stop working.
This means even if there are monies in the beneficiary's account, it cannot be withdrawn.
"Beneficiaries would not be able to use SASSA gold cards to buy or withdraw cash inside stores. Retailers would not accept the cards for any transactions, and any attempts will result in automatic system transaction declines.
“Beneficiaries would also not be able to use SASSA gold cards at any ATM. The SASSA gold may be swallowed when inserted in any ATM to attempt a transaction," Mbengashe said.
Postbank will continue to replace new cards, and social grant beneficiaries may still replace their SASSA gold cards with Postbank black cards on or after March 20.
"To prepare for the next grant payments that are scheduled for 3 to 5 April 2025, SASSA and Postbank encourage beneficiaries to make extra efforts to use the period between now and those payments dates to get their black cards.
"Beneficiaries will guarantee that their April 2025 grant payments are made with their cards. Postbank will continue to swap the gold card until the end of June 2025," she stated.
Beneficiaries are reminded the next grant payments that are scheduled for April 3 to April 5, 2025, and onwards, social grant beneficiaries who are yet to replace their gold cards with Postbank black cards, can withdraw their grant at their nearest Post Office.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
IOL