16 September 2026 Black Sash’s National Helpline is receiving an increase in calls from social-grant beneficiaries who have questions or problems relating to SASSA’s grant review process. Some beneficiaries are
From 1 September 2026, SASSA Gold Cards are no longer working. Beneficiaries who still rely on these cards will need to have switched to the new Postbank Black Card or
Women’s economic power is inseparable from care work, social protection, and the ability to make real choices about work and survival. Under the Women’s Month theme “Empowered Women, Empowered Nations,”
On 12 August, Black Sash launched SashChat Online Assistant, a free multilingual chatbot designed to help members of the public access information, advice and referrals to the rights and services
Thousands of social grant beneficiaries who are still using the SASSA Gold Card have been told they must complete the replacement process before 31 August 2026 or risk disruption to
This Workers’ Day, yet another cost of living shock looms, and poor and working communities are menaced by hunger and fuel shortages. But the person who is tasked with protecting them from dire economic hardship is instead busy fending off serious allegations of having enriched herself and her inner circle at the public’s expense.
Black Sash is deeply concerned by the rise in xenophobic rhetoric and anti-constitutional sentiments we have seen in recent months- behaviour we believe has fueled the rise in tensions within communities. When these harmful narratives are normalised- be it from the podium, the parliamentarians, or the police station- when people are blamed for economic hardship, and when hostility becomes acceptable in public discourse, it creates the conditions for violence.
This Workers’ Day, yet another cost of living shock looms, and poor and working communities are menaced by hunger and fuel shortages. But the person who is tasked with protecting them from dire economic hardship is instead busy fending off serious allegations of having enriched herself and her inner circle at the public’s expense.
Black Sash urges government to put the needs of the millions of those living in South Africa who are struggling to survive at the centre of its planning. As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Budget Speech, Dignity, livelihoods, and basic survival must be a priority.
As South Africa prepares to hear the 2026 State of the Nation Address, Black Sash calls on government to take urgent and concrete action to protect and expand social support for those living in poverty. With more than two-thirds of South Africans living below the upper-bound poverty line, delays in delivering adequate social protection are unacceptable.
