‘Supposed to be R6 500’: What pensioners say SASSA should really be paying
· The South African
The Older Persons Grant is one of SASSA’s most critical social relief instruments, supporting millions of South Africans aged 60 and above who have little to no other income. The grant is paid at R2 400 per month.
While SASSA adjusts the grant annually in line with the national budget, the increases have consistently failed to keep pace with South Africa’s rising cost of living, driven by surging food prices, escalating electricity tariffs, and steep increases in municipal service costs.
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Pensioners name their figure
Facebook comments on a recent article published by The South African, exactly what they believe the grant should pay.
Brian Thobani was blunt, writing on Facebook: “Supposed to be R6500.” His view is not an isolated one.
Furthermore, Maneo Morake echoed a similar sentiment, writing on Facebook simply: “Bonyane 6500” – meaning “at least R6 500” in Sesotho, signalling that even among those who do not write at length, the expectation of a substantially higher grant is widespread.
Also, Carol Mintoor took a notably different approach, arguing on Facebook that a grant increase alone cannot solve the underlying problem. She wrote: “No rates and tax on property and pensioners’ discount on basic foods.”
‘SASSA has forgotten about us’
Not everyone was hopeful that meaningful change was on the horizon. Defy Defy wrote in Afrikaans on Facebook: “Sassa sal nooit Nie hulle het vergeet van ons” – translated as “SASSA will never. They have forgotten about us.” The sentiment reflects a broader crisis of trust between grant-dependent communities and the institutions meant to serve them. SASSA has faced criticism in recent years for payment delays, system failures, and administrative backlogs, leaving many beneficiaries feeling invisible to the very agency responsible for their welfare.