More than two million South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries still need to switch from the SASSA/Postbank Gold Card to the new Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries. To accelerate the process, Postbank has introduced several measures to address delays and ensure that all grant recipients transition smoothly before the deadline.
Why the Switch to the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries?
The new Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries comes with enhanced security features and is fully compliant with updated banking standards. While approximately three million people still use the Gold Card, only 629 000 have successfully switched to the Black Card.
Initially, the government set 28 February 2025 as the deadline for this transition, but it has been extended to 20 March 2025 to give beneficiaries more time to make the switch.
Learn More: Deadline for SASSA Card Transition Extended
Challenges Faced in the Black Card Transition Process
The transition to the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries has faced several difficulties, including:
- Long distances to reach Postbank service sites
- Overcrowding and long queues at Postbank service points
- Frequent system downtime, slowing down the process
- Low turnout of beneficiaries to collect their Black Cards
Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe revealed that, although Postbank aimed to issue 23,000 Black Cards daily, the number of people showing up to collect their cards was much lower than expected.
Between November 2024 and January 2025, only 2,300 to 3,500 Black Cards were being issued daily. However, after the announcement of the 20 March deadline, the number increased to 10,400 Black Cards per day.
To meet the target of three million Black Card replacements before March, Postbank must now issue 100,000 Black Cards per day.
New Measures to Accelerate the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries Transition
To speed up the rollout of the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries, Postbank has introduced several new measures:
1. Partnership with Spar Stores
Postbank has partnered with the Spar Group to increase the number of card-issuing locations. Two hundred Spar stores across South Africa will now serve as Black Card collection points.
The Spar Group’s cashiers, already familiar with financial transactions, will receive accelerated training to assist with Black Card issuance. This will:
- Reduce long queues at Postbank sites
- Provide additional locations for card collection
- Speed up the overall process
2. More Staff at Service Sites
To handle the high demand, Postbank is increasing the number of tellers at each site. Additional staff will be recruited and trained to ensure faster processing of Black Cards.
3. Improved Communication with Beneficiaries
Postbank has admitted that many SASSA beneficiaries were unaware of the urgency to switch to the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries. To improve communication, they have:
- Issued press releases to keep beneficiaries informed
- Shared service site locations on LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and Postbank’s website
- Introduced a USSD code (*120*218*3#) to help beneficiaries find the nearest Black Card collection point (although this service is not always reliable)
4. Expansion of Cardless Cash Withdrawals
To ease congestion at Postbank sites, the bank is expanding its cardless cash withdrawal system. This system allows beneficiaries to withdraw social grants at selected retailers using their:
- ID document
- Registered cellphone number
This will help reduce long queues at card collection sites.
5. Enhanced Security for Beneficiary Registration
Postbank is finalizing a new mobile app to improve security during the registration process. This app will allow Postbank staff to:
- Onboard beneficiaries securely
- Ensure compliance with banking regulations
6. Expanded Call Centre Support
Due to the high volume of calls from concerned beneficiaries, Postbank has doubled its call centre staff. Additionally, SASSA has made its call centre available to assist with Black Card inquiries.
SASSA’s Role in the Black Card Transition
SASSA’s Acting CEO, Themba Matlou, acknowledged that communication gaps had contributed to the delays. To assist in the transition, SASSA has introduced outreach programs, including:
- Using community halls as temporary service sites to shelter beneficiaries while they wait
- Deploying two additional employees per service site to manage queues
- Extending operating hours to speed up the card issuing process
- Prioritizing elderly beneficiaries to ensure they receive their Black Cards without delays
How Beneficiaries Can Get Their Black Card
If you are a SASSA grant beneficiary, here’s what you need to do:
- Deadline: The deadline for switching to the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries is 20 March 2024. However, Postbank service points will remain open beyond this date to prevent a backlog.
- Where to Collect Your Black Card:
- Designated Postbank service points
- Participating Spar stores (200 locations nationwide)
- Other approved card swap locations
- How to Find Your Nearest Service Site:
- USSD Code: *120*218*3# (However, this service may not always work)
- Visit Postbank’s website or social media pages for updated information
- Cardless Cash Withdrawal Option:
- If you have not yet collected your Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries, you can still withdraw your grant using your ID and registered cellphone number at participating retailers
Final Deadline and Future Plans
While the government’s initial goal was to complete the transition by March 2025, Postbank now aims to issue Black Cards to all three million beneficiaries by 30 June 2025.
If you have not switched to the Black Card for SASSA Beneficiaries, act now to avoid last-minute delays and ensure uninterrupted access to your social grant.
Source: Chaotic switch to Black Card: What Postbank says it’s doing to fix the problems
