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.

Cape Town, 24 November 2025-Black Sash is aware of a current issue circulating on social mediainvolving a staff member and the popular musician, The Kiffness. We wish to clarify that

Black Sash has proudly celebrated its 70th anniversary with a gala dinner, which saw the announcement of the winners of its inaugural Human Rights Awards held at the Norval Foundation,

Cape Town, 14 July 2025 – Black Sash notes the briefing delivered by SASSA CEO Themba Matlou this morning on the agency’s ongoing review process of social grant beneficiaries and the suspension of payments to thousands of individuals.

Cape Town, South Africa, 05 May 2025 – Black Sash notes the recent public statement by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula made during a visit to Freedom Park in Soweto, yesterday, regarding the conversion of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant into a Basic Income Grant (BIG). We welcome the reaffirmation of the GNU’s commitment to ensuring long-term income support for those living in poverty and unemployed.

Black Sash seeks to commission an independent external evaluation of its Strategic Plan (2021–2024) and programme implementation to assess achievements, challenges, and lessons learned over the past four years. This evaluation will provide a critical review of the organisation’s impact, effectiveness, and efficiency and recommendations to inform the next strategic planning cycle.

Cape Town, 17 March 2025 — Black Sash notes the recent announcement that the SASSA gold cards will cease to function as of March 20. While Postbank and SASSA have communicated that card replacements will continue beyond this date, we are worried that many beneficiaries, particularly the elderly, those living in remote areas, and those facing physical or economic barriers, may still be left without the means to access their grants on time.