SASSA Extends Gold Card Swop Deadline

The deadline for South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries to exchange their SASSA Gold Card for the new Postbank Black Card has been extended from 28 February to 20 March 2025.

This extension was announced on Friday by the Ministers of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, and Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, in a joint statement.

“We have listened to the deep concerns and frustrations of our social grant beneficiaries, and we trust that this extension will provide much-needed time for grant recipients.

“We strongly encourage our beneficiaries to switch to the Postbank Black Card as soon as possible, well ahead of the 20 March 2025 deadline,” the Ministers said.

Continued Grant Payments After Deadline

Officials reassured beneficiaries that grant payments will continue as usual, even after the deadline. However, those who have not exchanged their SASSA Gold Card by then will need to visit their nearest Post Office branch to access their funds.

To facilitate a smooth transition, additional staff are being deployed, and partnerships with retailers have been established to increase the number of card-swopping sites nationwide. Mobile offices will also be dispatched to rural areas to assist beneficiaries.

Monitoring and Public Support

Authorities will closely monitor the process, receiving daily updates to address any emerging issues. The Ministers clarified that 20 March is when the SASSA Gold Cards will stop working, but it is not the last day to apply for the new Postbank Black Card. Beneficiaries can still apply for and receive their new cards after this date.

Community leaders and local authorities are also being engaged to provide clear information and assistance where needed.

“Our priority is ensuring that beneficiaries can exchange their old Gold SASSA Cards as easily as possible, and we will provide regular updates to the public,” the statement concluded.