{
  "id": 3184058,
  "title": "Postbank urges 80,000 beneficiaries to migrate to black cards before August 31 deadline",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/postbank-urges-80-000-beneficiaries-to-migrate-to-black-cards-before",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/thepost/news/2026-08-25-postbank-urges-80000-beneficiaries-to-migrate-to-black-cards-before-august-31-deadline/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Postbank has issued a final plea to nearly 80,000 South African social grant beneficiaries who have yet to switch from SASSA gold cards to black cards before the August 31 deadline. The deadline will not be extended, and affected beneficiaries are urged to complete the migration as soon as possible to prevent interruptions in their grant payment services. Over 1.8 million beneficiaries have already migrated since the process began in 2025, with the latest phase starting in April 2026, targeting about 420,000 beneficiaries. Postbank notes that fewer than 80,000 individuals still need to complete the process, with most outstanding migrations concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal (20,000), Western Cape (17,000), Eastern Cape (15,000), and Gauteng (14,000).\n\nPostbank's chief commercial officer, Thami Cele, emphasized the bank's priority to ensure beneficiaries do not face interruptions in their grant payments, which are crucial for many households. \"We understand that grant payments are an important source of livelihood for many families, and we want to ensure that no one is unnecessarily inconvenienced. Therefore, we are making this final special appeal to all remaining beneficiaries to complete their migration within the less than five-day period left,\" Cele stated.\n\nTo assist with the migration, Postbank has introduced additional operational measures at card replacement sites and provided multiple options for beneficiaries. They can visit any Postbank card replacement site, often located inside retailers such as Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Spar stores. Beneficiaries can also dial *120*355# from any cellphone to locate a nearby card migration site. The process is free, requiring only a valid ID or temporary ID, and beneficiaries can collect their new black cards from any province, even if their SASSA grant was approved in a different province. The black cards work immediately upon issuance, and any remaining balance on a gold card will automatically transfer to the new black card.\n\nPostbank has emphasized that beneficiaries who miss the August 31 deadline will still receive their social grant payments but must complete their migration to access funds. The bank will keep most card replacement sites open after the deadline to assist those who missed the cutoff, ensuring beneficiaries can continue receiving their grants safely and securely without interruption. For further information, beneficiaries can contact Postbank at 0800 5354 55.",
  "summary": "With the August 31 deadline fast approaching, Postbank is urging nearly 80,000 social grant beneficiaries to migrate from SASSA gold cards to black cards to avoid payment disruptions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Final call for social grant beneficiaries: Migrate to black cards by August 31",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/final-call-for-social-grant-beneficiaries-migrate-to-black-cards-by",
        "published": "2026-08-25T04:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}