The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) on Friday welcomed the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to allow for the continued use of the Sassa gold card until all cards have been successfully replaced.

Beneficiaries will now have until April 30 to move from their gold cards to the new black bank cards.

Last month, Sassa and PostBank announced that social grant recipients must replace their Sassa gold cards with the PostBank’s black cards, with a deadline of February 28.

The deadline was later extended to March 20.

Sassa said the latest decision followed engagements with PostBank on several issues, including alternative payment methods for beneficiaries who have not migrated to the PostBank black card.

“This decision has been made in the best interests of all the beneficiaries, to safeguard their dignity, lessen panic whilst ensuring their safety and easy access to their grants,” Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said.

Sassa acting chief executive officer Themba Matlou said he respected and abided by the decision taken by the relevant banking authorities, while appealing to beneficiaries to change their card to the new PostBank black card.

He said beneficiaries must use this extension and “not wait for the last hour”, as it would further inconvenience them.

“From the onset, we listened to the cries of our beneficiaries and understood their frustration. This should not make you to relax, this should make you to wake up tomorrow, with less pressure, and change your card,” he pleaded.