Daily Archives: August 7, 2018

SASSA grant beneficiaries receive their money on time

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Grant beneficiaries received their August payment from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) without experiencing any difficulties.

It was for the first time that cash payments were made at SASSA pay points since the South African Post Office (SAPO) took over from Cash Payment Services (CPS).

The success comes after some grant beneficiaries experienced technical glitches during the July payment cycle due to a system overload.

Minister of Social Development, Susan Shabangu, expressed joy and highlighted that the August payment cycle went through without any incidents being reported.

“I am pleased to report that the August payment cycle went without any major incidents in all of today’s pilots sites spread throughout the country. SAPO made 100% cash payments at all its pilot sites.

“This modest achievement can be attributed to the expertise that was pooled from among major role players in the banking, retail and ICT industries, as well as the long hours of hard work put in by SASSA and SAPO staff,” said Shabangu.

She added that the system has been optimised to the extent that it can handle the number of transactions in conformity with the standards of the banking industry. Shabangu said that was the single most significant reason why there were no glitches in spite the system being under immense pressure.

“The smooth manner in which payments were done today points out the readiness of SASSA and SAPO in completely taking over the payment of social grants once the CPS contract expires at the end of September as directed by the Constitutional Court.

“The few incidents that were reported came from beneficiaries who were using the new SASSA card and attempted to collect their grant monies at pay points. However, they were redirected to ATMs and participating merchants,” Shabangu said.

Beneficiaries were informed that the new SASSA card functions the same way as any bank card with a PIN and does not make use of biometrics as a method of verification. Beneficiaries who previously used PIN to access their grants using the old SASSA card are requested to collect their grants from ATMs and retailers.

Shabangu said as from this week, this category of beneficiaries will no longer be served at pay points because the pay point use finger prints as a method of verification. During the July payment period, about 700 000 of the 12 million beneficiaries that SASSA provides with social grants could not access their funds.

SASSA regional spokesperson, Nthabiseng Motsieleng explained that SASSA is running a card swopping campaign.

“SASSA is running a campaign of swapping the old cards for the new SASSA gold card. Those who have not done card swap by end of September 2018 will not receive their grants in October 2018.

“There will be no extension period, therefore beneficiaries are encouraged to ensure that they do a card swap in order to avoid disappointments and unnecessary hardships. This new card also allows 3 free cash withdrawals at points of sale, one free withdrawal at the post office per month, free swipes at points of sale and it is accepted by all ATM’s displaying the VISA sign, Motsieleng said.

Community members who are experiencing any payment related challenges are urged to make use of the SASSA Toll Free Number which is 0800 60 10 11.

Source: www.semphetenews.co.za

Meet ANC’s youngest regional Secretary in the country

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ANC regional Secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Gaolatlhwe Kgabo

By KEDIBONE MOALETSI

The ANC in Dr Ruth Mompati region has produced the youngest regional secretary across the country. Gaolatlhwe Kgabo was elected as the regional secretary during ANC regional elective conference held at All Seasons Resort in Christiana recently.

Kgabo, who regard himself as Marxist-Leninist scholar with a scientific approach to life in general, believes that the world is constantly changing and people need to adapt to those changes as ‘agent of transformation’.

“I have conviction that all challenges facing us as the people of South Africa and the world are systematic and structural. I started my political activism at the age of 15 when I joined Congress of South African Students (Cosas) back in 2004.

“I was a learner at Lerona Secondary School at Utlwanang location in Christiana. I decided to join school politics after we encountered unequal skewed curriculum and lack of necessary tools of trade to simplify teaching and learning processes. The Lerona School was the only secondary in our area,” he said.

Kgabo added that overcrowding was a challenge as learners were cooped like sardines in classes. He said the school had no computer laboratory, library, sports facilities and teaches untransformed curriculum.

“I began to be critical about the situation because being quiet will results in reproduction of poverty and inequality. I am a political activist who has received the necessary ideological training from intellectuals like Mphato Morapedi Melamu,” said Kgabo.
A 29 year-old politician joined the YCLSA in 2009 and established the first YCLSA structure in Christiana. He was then elected as YCLSA district secretary in J Nkosi district, known as Dr Ruth Mompati region in 2012.

“I was later elected as the YCLSA provincial chairman in Bokone Bophirima until 2016. I joined the ANCYL and ANC in 2007 where I was later appointed as the ANC Branch task team member in 2009.

“I was also elected as the ANC branch chairman in 2010 until 2014 at Johnny Pitso Branch in Christiana. I was elected as Lekwa-Teemane ANC sub-regional chairman and now I am serving as a councillor in Dr Ruth Mompati District municipality back in 2016,” he said.

Kgabo is serving as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Engineering and Technical Services. He also elected as the SACP District Executive Committee member in 2016.

“It is not a coincidence that I am the youngest regional secretary. In fact, I believe that this is a sign that shows that the ANC is starting to be younger. I grew up on a farm in Free State province and I could see what our parents were subjected to,” Kgabo said.

“Education broadens your understanding and we need to understand how the world operates to sharpen our approach. I have completed my Matric in 2006 and due to financial constraints, I could not further my studies,” he said.

However, he is now a first year student at the North West University (NWU) studying BA Degree in Public Administration. Kgabo said he wants to complete his Master Degree before turns 35.

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