Stellenbosch Municipality and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are working together to assist community members in obtaining their new PostBank black cards, according to Sonique Manuel, the ward 17 administrator.
The new PostBank black cards are being implemented due to their increased security measures and to meet Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) compliance. This is according to the SASSA Status Check website.
After 20 March, the gold cards will no longer be valid for transactions. This was announced on 14 February in a joint statement from the ministers of communications and digital technologies, Solly Malatsi, and social development, Nokuzola Tolashe.
Assistance at various stations across Stellenbosch
The municipality set up stations across Stellenbosch to aid beneficiaries, according to Manuel.
“Our main aim is to assist the community,” said Candace Wesso, the ward 19 administrator.
The municipality was set up at JJ Rhode Primary School in Elsenburg, Stellenbosch, on 10 March. SMF News was in attendance.
“Many of [the SASSA grant beneficiaries] cannot go to town,” said Wesso. “So it’s better to come to the community to bring it closer so that they don’t have to go out, because we know [that] town is far.”
Stellenbosch Municipality was in Elsenburg at JJ Rhode Primary School hall (pictured) on 10 March to assist the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries with receiving their new SASSA cards. SMF News was in attendance. The municipality has had SASSA assistance teams in the following wards: Cloetesville, Ida’s Valley, Kayamandi, Elsenburg, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch Central, Kylemore, Franschhoek, Jamestown, and Raithby, according to the municipality website. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
A stressful time for beneficiaries
The municipality has also found that many beneficiaries have experienced long waiting lines for their SASSA cards, as well as delays in receiving their cards, according to the Stellenbosch Municipality website.
The changeover of cards has caused stress for beneficiaries of SASSA, according to Janobia Martin, a cleaner residing in Elsenburg.
“It’s been very stressful,” said Martin. “I can’t get off work and I don’t have the money to come into Stellenbosch.”
Members of the community at JJ Rhode Primary School in Elsenburg waiting to be assisted with their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) PostBank card forms. Stellenbosch Municipality, along with different banks, including First National Bank (FNB) and Standard Bank, have been present at venues to help roll out the new SASSA cards, according to Sonique Manuel, ward 17 administrator. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
A collaborative approach
The process of assistance has been a collaborative approach between the municipality and SASSA, according to Manuel.
“The resources have been good,” said Maunel. “We had training two weeks ago, [SASSA] equipped us on how to handle everything.”
Stellenbosch Municipality and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have allowed for third-party permission, which has been a big help, according to Candace Wesso, ward 19 administrator. Community members only need to fill in the relevant forms and then the ward councillors will deliver the forms to SASSA, she said. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
“I was so excited when I heard [the municipality] was coming here,” said Martin. “To not have to go into Stellenbosch – I’m very thankful.”
The municipality will continue to have these venues available until the deadline, according to Wesso.
“Every ward has a date up until the 20th,” said Wesso.
Venues and dates for SASSA assistance, according to the municipality’s website, are:
- 13 March 08:00 – 17:00 Lanquedoc, Pniel, Kylemore – All three clubhouses
- 14 March 08:00 – 17:00 Franschhoek – Town hall
- 14 March 08:00 -17:00 Jamestown and Raithy – Methodist Church hall, Raithby