Postbank has announced that it has successfully swapped over one million social grant beneficiaries from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards to the new Postbank black cards. This milestone was revealed by Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe during a joint media briefing with SASSA on Monday.
Mbengashe expressed pride in reaching this significant achievement, stating that as of March 10, 2025, more than one million beneficiaries had made the switch to the new Postbank black cards, which are designed to be more compliant and secure.
She thanked the beneficiaries who have already exchanged their cards and acknowledged those currently at card replacement sites across the country. She also urged those who have not yet replaced their SASSA gold cards to visit a Postbank card replacement site to receive their black cards.
Postbank card replacement sites are located in selected branches of major retailers, including Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Spar. Beneficiaries can also find nearby sites by dialing 120355# from a cellphone. The only requirement for card replacement is a valid form of identification, such as an RSA green barcoded ID, a smart card ID, or a temporary ID. The new black cards are issued at no cost to beneficiaries.
Mbengashe emphasized that the milestone reflects Postbank’s commitment to ensuring that all SASSA gold card beneficiaries are issued with new cards. However, she also reiterated that the SASSA gold cards would no longer be valid after March 20, 2025. After this date, beneficiaries will not be able to use their gold cards for transactions, even if they still have funds in their accounts. Attempts to use the gold card in stores or ATMs will result in automatic declines or the card being swallowed by the ATM.
She assured beneficiaries that any funds left on the SASSA gold cards after they stop working will be safely transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account. These funds will remain accessible for withdrawal through the Post Office, a retailer’s cardless payment method (if registered), or via the Postbank black card. Beneficiaries are strongly discouraged from attempting any transactions with their SASSA gold cards after the deadline to avoid disappointment.
Importantly, the March 20, 2025 deadline is not the cutoff date for replacing the gold cards. Postbank will continue to replace the cards beyond this date at all existing card replacement sites, and beneficiaries are encouraged to do so before the April 2025 grant payments to ensure their new cards are in place. The replacement process will continue until the end of June 2025, with the goal of swapping all beneficiaries who bank with Postbank.
For beneficiaries who have not yet received their black cards by the time of the April 2025 grant payments, Postbank and SASSA assured that there will be no disruption in payments. Beneficiaries can still access their grants at the Post Office. There are 543 Post Office branches across the country where beneficiaries can withdraw their grants, using only their ID for identification.
The Post Office branch-based payment method will be available only to those who have not yet replaced their SASSA gold cards, asylum seekers, and those with Postbank green Mzansi or blue cards. Beneficiaries with Postbank black cards are encouraged to use their cards to access funds at ATMs or retailers and are advised not to attempt to collect their payments at Post Office branches.
Postbank and SASSA are working to ensure that the transition to the new cards is smooth and that beneficiaries who still use SASSA gold cards can continue to access their social grants without interruption. The replacement of the gold cards will remain available through all existing Postbank card replacement sites, and new sites are being added regularly.
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