With the March 20 deadline approaching, Postbank has acknowledged that completing the transition from Gold Cards to Black Cards on time is unlikely. By the end of February, 1.9 million grant beneficiaries were yet to make the switch, raising concerns about their ability to access social grants.
GroundUp reporters visited card collection points in Durban and Cape Town on Wednesday, where grant recipients endured long queues, system failures, and slow service. Many left empty-handed despite waiting for hours.
Long Queues and Delays Frustrate Beneficiaries in Durban
At Shoprite in Verulam, about 40 people were still in line at 1:30 PM, with fewer than 45 cards issued throughout the day. Many beneficiaries arrived as early as 6 AM, only to face delays.
“I was here last week and was promised that I would be helped first today, but that didn’t happen,” said Zama Mkhize, a grant recipient.
Similarly, at Boxer in Phoenix, beneficiaries reported standing for hours without food, water, or seating. Sandy Singh, who uses a walking stick, had been waiting for three hours before she was moved to the front of the queue.
A 77-year-old man in line said his legs began to swell while waiting, but his pleas for assistance went unanswered.
System Failures Leave Cape Town Grant Recipients in Limbo
In Cape Town, beneficiaries at Shoprite in Strand were forced to sit on the ground or lean against walls as they waited for hours.
Thabisa Peter, a mother of four, has been struggling since January 22 to activate her Black Card. Despite multiple attempts, system failures and bureaucratic hurdles have left her unable to access her child support grants.
“I came back to Shoprite at 3 AM, but the queue was too long. The next time I returned, I still wasn’t helped,” Peter said.
On Wednesday, she was informed that the Black Card issued to her in January needed to be blocked before she could receive a new one, further delaying the process.
Postbank’s Response and Alternative Solutions
Postbank has acknowledged the widespread delays and announced several measures to accelerate the transition, including:
- Partnering with Spar to provide 200 additional card collection sites nationwide.
- Increasing the number of tellers at existing collection points.
- Doubling contact center staff and recruiting more agents to handle high call volumes.
- Introducing a new USSD code (120355#) for beneficiaries to find their nearest collection site.
Despite these challenges, Postbank has ruled out an extension of the deadline, stating that all Gold Cards must be out of circulation by March 31.
Alternative Grant Access After March 31
Beneficiaries who do not receive their Black Cards in time will still be able to access their grants through:
✅ Post Office withdrawals
✅ Cardless cash withdrawals at participating retailers
As the transition deadline draws closer, beneficiaries continue to experience long waits, system inefficiencies, and uncertainty, raising concerns about the accessibility of critical social grants.