JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — As the August 31 deadline for the SASSA gold card migration approaches, Lesaka’s Executive Head of Consumer Division, Simphiwe Phakathi, has confirmed that EasyPay Everywhere bank card holders remain entirely unaffected by the transition to Postbank black cards.
The clarification follows a recent public appeal by PostBank Chief Commercial Officer Thami Cele, who issued a final call to social grant beneficiaries to finalize their transition. Currently, approximately 80,000 beneficiaries have yet to migrate from their SASSA gold cards to the new black cards ahead of the cutoff.
Confusion arose recently when the EasyPay Everywhere bank card was displayed alongside the SASSA Gold Card during a broadcast, prompting Lesaka to issue a definitive public service announcement to clear up the misinformation.
Phakathi explained that the EasyPay bank account operates as a Mastercard and currently serves more than two million customers, the vast majority of whom are social grant earners. He emphasized that these EasyPay account holders do not need to change their cards and are completely exempt from the SASSA gold-to-black card migration mandate.
Before addressing the migration details, Phakathi noted that the Lesaka community joins the nation in mourning the recent loss of Zolani, extending sincere condolences to the family and the public.
Turning to the urgent deadline, Phakathi advised the remaining 80,000 beneficiaries to exercise their legal right to choose their preferred banking institution before the window closes. While urging the public not to panic, he stressed the importance of immediate action, noting that beneficiaries historically wait until the last minute to make the switch.
To facilitate a smooth transition, Lesaka EasyPay has mobilized significant support infrastructure. This includes over 240 physical branches and 400 additional community pop-up sites designed to assist beneficiaries in person, allowing them to speak with representatives in a relatable language. Recognizing that 70 percent of the grant network comprises child support grant earners who possess smartphones, the company has also optimized digital support channels.
Beneficiaries seeking guidance can contact Lesaka EasyPay via their official Facebook page, dial the USSD code, or call the dedicated contact number.
In his final message, Phakathi encouraged grant recipients to visit their nearest EasyPay outlet or branch immediately to process their switch. By doing so, they can join the millions of customers who already receive their grants with peace of mind, while gaining access to a full suite of banking propositions, including lending and insurance options tailored for their times of need.
