On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, South Africa’s Parliament became the stage for a passionate plea to increase the SASSA old age grant to R5,000-a figure more than double the current monthly amount.
Advocates for pensioners argue that the existing grant, which stands at R2,310 for those under 75 and R2,330 for seniors aged 75 and above, no longer meets the basic needs of elderly South Africans grappling with soaring living costs.
The call, driven by civil society groups and pensioner representatives, highlights the harsh economic conditions faced by older citizens who often rely solely on this grant for essentials like food, medication, and housing.
“Our pensioners deserve dignity and security,” said one advocate during the parliamentary session. “An increase to R5,000 is not just a number-it’s a lifeline.”
However, the government’s response, delivered by Acting Chief Director of Social Development Dr. Maureen Mogotsi, tempered expectations.
Dr. Mogotsi explained that such a leap would nearly double the social grants budget, pushing costs to an estimated R246 billion annually-an amount deemed unsustainable within the current fiscal framework.
The total social grants budget for the 2025/26 financial year is approximately R284.7 billion, covering various vulnerable groups across the country.
Dr. Mogotsi also emphasized that the pensioners’ grant is currently the highest social grant and exceeds the Upper Bound Poverty Line, unlike the Child Support Grant, which remains below the food poverty line.
With around 4.1 million pensioners benefiting from the grant, the government must balance limited resources among millions of other vulnerable South Africans, including those receiving the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant.
Recent modest increases in May 2025 raised the old age grant by roughly R130, bringing it to R2,315 for pensioners under 75 and R2,335 for those over 75. While these adjustments provide some relief, they fall short of the ambitious R5,000 target.
This parliamentary exchange underscores the ongoing tension between social justice demands and economic constraints.
Pensioners and their advocates continue to press for a meaningful boost to the grant, while policymakers grapple with fiscal responsibility and competing national priorities.
As inflation and living costs remain high, the debate over the adequacy of social grants is poised to intensify, spotlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions that protect South Africa’s elderly without jeopardizing the broader social safety net.
Upcoming SASSA Old Age Grant Payment Dates for May 2025
SASSA has confirmed that payments for the Older Persons Grant will commence on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Beneficiaries are encouraged to verify their banking details to ensure timely receipt of funds.
This development marks a pivotal moment in South Africa’s social welfare discourse, as the nation wrestles with how best to support its aging population amid economic challenges.
The call for a R5,000 pension grant, while ambitious, reflects a broader demand for dignity and fairness for the country’s elderly citizens.
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