‘Feeders of many’: Why South Africans say the SASSA old-age grant increase matters at home

For many South African families, the SASSA old-age grant does far more than support one elderly person.

That was the message from commenters responding to The South African’s report on a push to raise the Older Persons Grant to R3 000 a month.

Grandparents hold households together WITH SASSA GRANTS

On The South African’s Facebook page, Maureen Ntwendala said grandparents play a central role in keeping families fed. “That will be great, grandfather and grandmother are the feeders of many,” she wrote.

Her comment reflects a reality in many homes across the country, where pensioners use their grants to buy groceries, pay school costs and support unemployed adult children and grandchildren.

When one grant must stretch across several people, even a modest increase can affect what lands on the table each month.

‘Will make a big difference’

Sylvia Seeligsohn said a higher grant would ease pressure on households. “R3500 will make a big difference,” she wrote, suggesting an amount slightly above the figure under discussion.

Harold Toll kept his hopes simple. “I’ll appreciate it if the pension fund can be able to rise,” he wrote.

His comment drew a reply from another user, as grant recipients shared how rising food, transport and electricity costs continue to eat into their monthly payments.

Hope beyond politics

Not everyone is placing their trust in government.

Amina Pietersen wrote: “Leave everything in the almighty God hands, he will come through for us.”

What happens next

The proposed increase has not been approved. Grant increases are usually announced by the Minister of Finance in the Budget Speech each February and take effect from April.

Until then, grant recipients will continue to receive their monthly payments at current rates. Pensioners should rely only on official SASSA channels for confirmed grant amounts and payment dates.

Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey

If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you.

Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.