Last chance to switch to new Postbank card by March 20

With only two days left to transition from old to new cards, locals who have yet to replace their Sassa gold cards are urged to act quickly.

The South African government has confirmed that the extended deadline for switching to the new Postbank-issued black cards will remain fixed on March 20, with no further extensions granted.

The marketing manager of Alberton City Shopping Centre, Lenita Cunha, shared her concerns over the slow uptake of the card replacement process.

She said that despite the government’s earlier extension, foot traffic for card replacements has been steadily decreasing.

She confirmed that Postbank has brought in extra staff to handle the demand, but the lack of urgency among beneficiaries has raised alarms.

“People are advised to act swiftly as this will impact them. Beneficiaries are urged to come and get their cards and take advantage of the staff members that were brought in to assist them with the transition,” she said.

The Alberton Record visited the shopping centre on several occasions to observe the queues, and while a few individuals were seen waiting in line, the numbers were far lower than anticipated. This has led to concerns about how the community will manage as the cut-off date draws nearer.

The South African government, however, has made it clear that the March 20 deadline is final.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has urged all Sassa beneficiaries to act now, emphasising that any further delays will result in a disruption of access to funds.

“The March 20 deadline is final, and we urge beneficiaries to visit their nearest Postbank branch as soon as possible to ensure they are not left without access to their social security funds,” Ntshavheni stated.

Despite the extension, the transition process has faced its share of criticism.

Both Sassa and Postbank have been under fire for long queues and slow service at certain service points, particularly in high-traffic areas. However, the government is standing firm on the deadline, reiterating that the old gold cards will become invalid after March 20.

Beneficiaries who fail to make the switch in time will need to visit their nearest Post Office branch to access their funds, leading to potential delays and increased strain on the system.

With the window for card replacements closing fast, now is the time to ensure your new Postbank card is ready before March 20.