Postbank reports progress on SASSA card migration

Postbank has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing migration of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold card holders to its new black cards. Since the process began in September 2024, nearly 1.4 million beneficiaries have successfully made the switch.

The transition became urgent last week Thursday when the gold SASSA cards officially stopped working, leaving many social grant recipients unable to withdraw money or make purchases at retail stores.

Millions Already Migrated, But Some Still Need to Make the Switch

While the migration has seen significant progress, many grant recipients have yet to replace their gold cards. Postbank is urging those affected to visit designated retail stores to access their grants and begin the card replacement process.

Postbank spokesperson Bongani Diako reassured grant recipients that their payments would not be affected, even if they haven’t yet received the black card.

“The most important thing that needs to be noted is that even those who have not migrated to the black card as yet should rest assured that they will be paid their grant come the next payment cycle,” said Diako.

Where Can Grant Recipients Access Their Money?

For those who haven’t swapped their cards, Postbank advises that they can still access their social grant payments at the following retail stores:

• Shoprite

• Checkers

• Usave

• Pick n Pay

• SPAR

• Boxer

These stores have partnered with Postbank to ensure that grant recipients can continue receiving their money without disruption.

Why Was the SASSA Gold Card Phased Out?

The transition from the gold SASSA card to the new black card is part of Postbank’s plan to improve the security and efficiency of grant payments. The gold cards expired, requiring a shift to an updated system that enhances:

• Fraud prevention

• Access to banking services

• Card functionality across multiple retail networks

Postbank has assured the public that the new black cards are more secure and will help prevent fraudulent activities, which had been a growing concern with the gold card system.

Grant Beneficiaries Urged to Make the Swap

Although beneficiaries can still receive their payments, Postbank is urging them to swap their old cards as soon as possible to avoid any future inconvenience.

The card migration process is free, and recipients can collect their new black cards from designated Postbank sites or partner retailers.

How to get the new Postbank black card:

1. Visit a participating retailer or Postbank branch.

2. Bring your South African ID and your expired gold SASSA card.

3. Complete the card migration process with the help of a Postbank representative.

4. Activate the new black card and start using it immediately.

Reactions from Grant Recipients

The migration process has been met with mixed reactions, with some beneficiaries praising the new system while others struggle to adapt to the change.

Many recipients have expressed frustration about the sudden cutoff of the gold card, leaving them in difficult financial situations.

“I was not aware that my gold card would stop working. I tried to withdraw money at the ATM and it declined. I had to borrow money to get to the nearest Shoprite to collect my grant,” said one elderly recipient.

Others have welcomed the upgrade, saying they feel safer using the new black card.

“My previous gold card was cloned, and I lost some of my grant money. I feel more secure with the new system,” said another grant recipient.

What’s Next?

With Postbank having already replaced 1.4 million gold cards, the focus remains on ensuring that the remaining recipients complete their migration as soon as possible.

While payments are still accessible through partner retailers, beneficiaries are strongly encouraged to get their black cards before the next payment cycle to avoid last-minute issues.

For more information, grant recipients can visit Postbank branches or contact SASSA’s official helpline.