By OBAKENG MAJE
1 April 2025- It is alleged that only 43% of grant beneficiaries in the North West have transitioned to the new Postbank black cards. This was revealed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Hendriëtte van Huyssteen, who is also a DA shadow spokesperson on the North West Department of Social Development.
Huyssteen said they call on the North West Department of Social Development to work with Postbank to immediately increase service points and deploy mobile units to reach rural beneficiaries. She further said South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), has confirmed that as of mid-March 2025, only 43% of grant recipients in the North West had successfully made the switch, leaving thousands of vulnerable South Africans uncertain about their financial security.
“The North West has been particularly affected, with only 11 designated service points across vast rural areas. For residents in villages like Tshidilamolomo, Supingstad and Bray, the distances required to transition to the new card—ranging from 103km to a staggering 295km—are simply unmanageable for the elderly, disabled and financially vulnerable.
“The transition that was intended to enhance security, has instead highlighted a failure in planning and service delivery. Despite multiple deadline extensions, the final cut-off on 20 March 2025, had been repeatedly presented as a hard deadline that could not be extended under any circumstances,” said Huyssteen.
She further said a DA Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) in the Western Cape and spokesperson on Social Development, Wendy Kaizer-Philander, confirmed that just two weeks before the cut-off, Postbank officials went so far as to inform the Western Cape Standing Committee on Social Development that beneficiaries should “throw away their SASSA gold cards”, as they will be useless after the deadline.
Huyssteen added that, however, SASSA has now confirmed that the deadline for transitioning to the Postbank black card has been extended yet again until 30 May 2025, providing beneficiaries with additional time to make the switch.
“This is an unacceptable failure in governance. The DA has long championed competent and people-focused service delivery, ensuring that no South African is left behind.
“In the Western Cape, where the DA governs, the provincial government worked alongside Postbank and local authorities to mobilise communities and assist grant recipients efficiently,” she said.
Huyssteen said this proactive governance stands in stark contrast to the mismanagement witnessed here in North West. She said in the meantime, grant recipients who still have the gold cards must not delay.
“They have two options like visiting their nearest service point for transition to the new Postbank black card or they can open a bank account with another financial institution and visit a SASSA branch with a bank confirmation letter to update their banking details.
“The DA in North West will continue to hold the government accountable and fight for better service delivery to protect the rights and dignity of our province’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Huyssteen.
Meanwhile, SASSA regional officials in the North West engaged with beneficiaries at Taung Mall last week. They said their office was promoting SASSA services and assisting with payment methods.
“Different financial institutions assisted with new bank accounts and bank statements, while the Customer Care Unit assisted with all Covid-19 SRD Grant related enquiries.”
The Guardian 