‘Pay them a reasonable grant’: Inflation warning ignites heated SASSA grant debate

Patrick Maloka’s comment on The South African’s Facebook page left little room for interpretation: “Alleviate the plight of senior citizens, considering inflation, and pay them a reasonable grant.”

His frustration lands against a backdrop of genuine movement: the Older Persons Grant rose from R2 320 to R2 400 in the latest round, a roughly 3.6% to 3.7% increase that government communication described as slightly above the current inflation outlook.

Why pensioners aren’t celebrating

On paper, an above-inflation increase should ease pressure. In practice, grant recipients across SASSA’s categories have long argued that official inflation figures don’t reflect what pensioners actually spend on food, electricity, and transport costs that have climbed faster than the headline rate. Researchers tracking the Child Support Grant’s real value have made an almost identical argument, noting the grant has lost purchasing power despite year-on-year increases, a pattern pensioners’ advocates say applies just as much to the Older Persons Grant.

Maloka’s second comment, posted minutes later, read only: “RISE POSA,” accompanied by an image. The abrupt shift from a detailed policy demand to a two-word slogan has left other commenters speculating about a pensioner advocacy movement, though its exact meaning remains unconfirmed.

A pattern that keeps repeating

This isn’t the first grant cycle to produce this exact complaint. Every adjustment round from the R2 320 baseline at the start of 2026 to the current R2 400 has been met with similar comments arguing that the increase doesn’t keep pace with living costs, even as SASSA’s own figures show the percentage increase technically outpacing inflation.

Whether “RISE POSA” signals an organised campaign or simply one commenter’s frustration boiling over, it captures a mood shared widely in the replies beneath Maloka’s post: relief on paper, but not yet in the pocket.

The South African will continue following developments as pensioners respond to the latest adjustment.

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