‘I wish that the grant can be increased’: Gauteng pensioner opens up

Freddy Rapula Mashigo has no complaints about how SASSA treats him. His problem is what happens after the grant money lands.

The retired Gauteng resident receives the Older Person’s Grant and supports a household of five people. He shared his experience with The South African through our SASSA survey.

Smooth service, but the Grant money runs dry

Mashigo has received the Older Person’s Grant for between one and three years.

He told The South African that his grant has been straightforward from the start and rated SASSA’s communication with recipients as very good. Many grant recipients battle delays, declined applications and verification problems, but Mashigo said he has faced none of these.

The trouble starts once the month gets going. Mashigo spends his money on a mix of food, utilities and other basic needs. Despite careful budgeting, the money runs out before month end. He said his money does not cover his basic needs and that he regularly struggles to make ends meet.

Retired, but still worried about jobs

Although he is retired, he named unemployment as his biggest financial concern.

His answer reflects a common pattern in South African homes, where a pensioner’s grant often carries working-age relatives who cannot find jobs.

He has never applied for additional government support. He explained that he did not know what else was available, which points to a gap in how the state informs recipients about other assistance.

One clear request for SASSA

Asked what single thing he would change about SASSA, Mashigo chose an increase in the amount.

“I wish that the grant can be increased,” he said.

For households like his, the grant remains a lifeline, but one that no longer stretches far enough to keep food on the table until the next payment date.

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.