Latest News & Developments
social grants
Over 25 million South Africans depend on social grants amid rising poverty
New statistics reveal that 25. 4 million South Africans rely on social grants for survival, highlighting a growing socioeconomic crisis marked by rising poverty and unemployment. Experts call for urgent government intervention to address these challenges.
Women-headed households surge in South Africa, Stats SA reveals
Statistics South Africa's latest survey reveals that over 42% of households are now led by women, amid ongoing challenges like the gender pay gap and rising unemployment.
Surge in women-headed households in South Africa amid economic challenges - Stats SA
Explore the latest findings from Statistics South Africa on the increasing number of women-headed households, the persistent gender pay gap, and the implications of rising unemployment on social grants.
Women-headed households surge in South Africa, reveals Stats SA survey
Statistics South Africa's latest survey reveals that over 42% of households are now led by women, amidst ongoing challenges like the gender pay gap and rising unemployment. Discover how these trends impact South African society.
Navigating your finances: Key takeaways from the 2025 Budget Speech
Discover how the recent 2025 Budget Speech impacts your household finances, from VAT rates to social grants, and what it means for your spending
SA adjusts social grants budget to combat rising living costs
The South African government has extended the social relief grant until March 2026.
Social relief of distress grant extended until March 2026
The South African government has extended the social relief grant until March 2026, ensuring continued support for millions while exploring sustainable solutions to poverty.
Budget: Social relief grant to continue until March 2026, amid long-term review
The South African government has extended the social relief grant until March 2026, ensuring continued support for millions while exploring sustainable solutions to poverty.
Postbank black card suspension: Sassa advises gold card users to apply for alternative banking
Sassa urges gold card beneficiaries to apply for alternative banking options following Postbank black card suspension.
'Too Little to Survive' | South African grant recipients struggle despite R130 increase
South African grant recipients say the R130 increase to old age pensions is insufficient as inflation and VAT hikes erode their purchasing power. Economists warn that while social grants remain a lifeline for millions, political deadlock between ANC and DA within the Government of National Unity threatens long-term solutions to poverty.
R260 million theft: Sassa officials and Ethiopian national in court for grand looting
The arrests were a result of a meticulous investigation, which revealed that the suspects had been withdrawing large amounts of cash from over 150 fraudulent Sassa and bank cards at a Shoprite supermarket in Soweto in February.
Concerns grow over South Africa's Budget consensus ahead of looming deadline
With the deadline for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's budget approaching, political tensions escalate as the ANC and DA clash over proposed VAT increases. Experts warn of severe consequences if consensus is not reached.
Deadline alert: SASSA beneficiaries must exchange gold cards for black cards now
SASSA beneficiaries are granted a two-month extension to swap their gold cards for Postbank's black cards, but the deadline looms. Act now to secure your grants before May 2025
SA Post Office and Postbank clarify roles in social grant transition
The South African Post Office has distanced itself from assisting Post Bank card holders, leaving millions of social grant beneficiaries in a critical transition period. Find out what this means for you.
Sassa card swap: This is what you need to know
Social grant recipients must transition to new Postbank cards to avoid disruptions in accessing funds, as SASSA gold cards will no longer be accepted after the March 20 deadline.
SA's R284bn grants burden: why job creation must take centre stage
With 28 million South Africans dependent on social grants and unemployment at 31. 9%, experts and civic organisations warn that the R284. 7 billion welfare system is unsustainable without urgent economic reforms and job creation initiatives. Here's why the transition from social dependency to economic growth is crucial for South Africa's future.
How the proposed VAT hike threatens rural pensioners' survival | Budget 2025
Rural pensioners surviving on R2,190 monthly grants warn that Treasury's proposed 2% VAT increase would devastate their already stretched budgets, forcing impossible choices between food, medicine and transport.
'We can't survive': Single mothers worry about the cost of living as VAT hike proposal adds more pain | Budget 2025
IOL went to the streets of Johannesburg to hear first-hand accounts from people on their financial struggles that an increase in VAT would have on their lives.
How South Africa's Cabinet is tackling land reform, social grants, and US aid cuts
Discover how South Africa's Cabinet is addressing land reform, US aid cuts, and security challenges.
BUDGET 2025 | VAT hike signals a fiscal time bomb for South Africa
The ANC government has made a habit of promising more than the country can afford. With this latest controversy over a proposed two-percentage-point increase in VAT, the maths is simply not mathing, writes Lee Rondganger.
Treasury proposed massive social grant increases alongside 2% VAT increase
Treasury documents released on Wednesday showed that a 2% VAT increase would have injected R58 billion into the fiscal, which Godongwana said would have been used to fund the immediate projects including the revitalisation of the public railway system for the benefit of the poor and working class, hiring and retaining teachers, doctors, front line workers and other public servants, while also capacitating the government’s early childhood development programmes
Grant card swap debacle
The government has backed off and delayed the switch over of Sassa cards