Pretoria: Postbank has announced that the replacement of remaining SASSA Gold Cards with new Postbank Black Cards will begin on 29 April, with beneficiaries urged to switch before the 31 August 2026 deadline. The bank said social grant recipients who are still using Gold Cards must migrate to the new Black Cards before the cut-off date or risk losing access to their grant payments, as the old cards will stop working after that date.
According to South African Government News Agency, the replacement programme forms part of Postbank's wider card migration process launched in September 2024. Postbank Chief Commercial Officer Thamsanqa Cele stated that beneficiaries who had not yet changed cards should act urgently. Cele emphasized, 'Starting from this month, we are intensifying the final stages of the SASSA Gold Cards replacement process. This is a direct call to action for customers who have not yet migrated - please act as soon as possible.'
Cele confirmed that the deadline would not be extended and warned that customers who miss it could face interruptions to grant payments. Postbank clarified that beneficiaries who have already received their Black Cards do not need to take any further action. The cards remain valid and continue to offer benefits such as three free withdrawals, one free card replacement, and a free monthly statement.
The bank assured that Black Card accounts are protected from unauthorized deductions and personal information misuse. New Black Cards can be collected free of charge at Postbank service points located inside selected retailers, including Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and SPAR. Beneficiaries only need to present a valid South African ID or temporary ID document. No forms are required, and cards can be collected in any province, regardless of where the grant was approved.
Postbank highlighted that balances currently on Gold Cards would automatically transfer to the new Black Cards, which can be used immediately after collection. The bank urged beneficiaries to be alert to scams, noting that any card not branded with 'Postbank' on the front, or requiring forms to be completed in order to work, is not an official Postbank Black Card. For enquiries, beneficiaries can contact Postbank on 0800 53 54 55.