Understanding the 2018 SASSA changes

Changes are underway at the South African Social Security Agency.

By Cherrol Skosana

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is mandated by the South African Social Security Agency Act of 2004 to “ensure the provision of comprehensive social security services against vulnerability and poverty within the constitutional legislative framework”.  According to the 2018 statistical reports, the total number of people receiving social grants in South Africa from September 2017 to February 2018 has increased. There are now over 17 million grants that are paid monthly in South Africa.

BEFORE THE CHANGES

The Cash Paymasters services’ is currently the one responsible for the distribution of social grants on a monthly basis on behalf of SASSA since 2012.  The CPS is assigned to distribute in the rural communities where most people do not have access to the ATMs. The CPS’s social grant card was the safest with biometric security features in accessing the cash. The CPS process made it easier for the beneficiaries to receive their social grants by bringing the grants closer to them it didn’t segregate those with bank accounts and those without including the older persons and people with disabilities.  With the new system in process, it raises a lot of questions on how will this system work for the better good of all the social grant recipients.

Further to the above, Minister of social development Susan Shabangu has recently met with the South African National Taxi association to find ways of bringing the taxi industry on board regarding the SASSA payment transition process.   In

Cash transportation is becoming increasingly risky following the recent cash-in-transit heists, the South African Social Security together with the South African Post Office collaborated and took a decision to reduce the number of social grant beneficiaries at cash payment points. Sassa aims to do away with cash components of social services and urges their beneficiaries to move cash payments to using the new card which is the safest.  

The 2018 SASSA Changes

As a result, Sassa has recently launched a new card for its beneficiaries.  The use of the new card system is a priority but in order for them to successfully move their beneficiaries away from cash, the agency needs to replace old Sassa cards by the new Post office cards. The new cards are reliable and do not attract any charges, the first card and one card replacement is free. It allows for free monthly services including unlimited Point of Sale purchases, unlimited pin resets at SASSA offices,  three cash withdrawals at merchants, retailers, POS devices.

 a statement released by SASSA, the minister mentioned that it was realized that there may be a need for transport to take the elderly from certain areas for them to receive their money and safely come back. “We do not want a last minute thing where we just stop taxis to take people to receive their money, we want a proper arrangement that is why we are starting the engagement with the taxi industry,” she explains.

REASON BEHIND THE SASSA CHANGES

Oskido’s investment into property

By Cherrol Skosana

While most celebrities stress over what to wear for the Durban July event, Oskido’s mission was to make money and invest on property.  He took it to his social media account earlier this week to show off his beachfront apartment in Durban.

“I know that it was Durban July but some of us went there to work and not to drink champagne. All the money I was doing on the gig had to come in as a deposit,” he says.

On a video he took, he mentioned that the renovations are underway and his fans should give him three months.

“Sold. Thanks to all the guys who booked me for this #durbanjuly this is how I’m spending the money, no champagne for me darling. #investment #property #durbanbeachfront #northbeach #renovation #under construction,” he wrote

Oskido whose real name is Oscar Mdlongwe is one of the respected legendary Kwaito musician, Dj, producer and businessman.  He is the co-founder of the well-known record label Kalawa Jazmee.  His latest album is called 50 degrees featuring Nokwazi.

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Sizwe Dlhomo details the ‘Chest bump fight’ he was involved in on twitter.

By Cherrol Skosana

TV star Sizwe Dhlomo says he was at Highveld mall in Witbank waiting for a friend he was supposed to meet when the incident took place.  An unknown lady caught Sizwe’s attention when she waved at him and that stirred trouble for him at Wimpy.

 An infuriated man who was sitting across the lady accused Sizwe of being the reason why the lady left by swearing at him. Sizwe couldn’t hold himself and chest bumped the guy revealing his other side that people don’t know. The fight continued between the two until a waiter from Wimpy jumped in to stop the fight.

This is how Sizwe detailed the fight, he says he was in Witbank to meet a friend so he decided to go grab something to eat Wimpy.

 “I see this lady waving at me. I figured okay. She must recognize me from somewhere so I wave back.” He shares

The guy who was sitting across the lady turned around to see who’s greeting the lady.  Few minutes later the guy looks at Sizwe from across the restaurant and shouts something. So Sizwe thinks he must be speaking to him he removes the earphones so that he can hear what he’s saying.

“You’re an asshole, are you happy with what you’ve done now,” the other guy asks Sizwe. Out of curiosity Sizwe approached the guy to find out what’s happening. People are now starring at the other guy not understanding what’s happening. “I get to him and we basically bump chests, that childish male bullsh*t. We are right up against each other’s faces and he continues to say she’s gone now are you happy? The waiter jumped in to stop the fight,” he wrote

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Make a difference with Bikers for Mandela Day

By Cherrol Skosana

Bikers for Mandela Day’ Bikers for Mandela in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation will ride this coming weekend in aid of charity to ‘Keep a Girl Child in School’.  The aim is to collect sanitary pads for three million girls who miss school annually because they cannot afford basic sanitary products. Bikers across the country are encouraged to participate by arranging a ride in their cities or by joining the mass rally planned in Cape Town and Johannesburg on the 14^th and 15^th of July.

“This year’s rides will allow for more bikers to participate in this nine-year old tradition about having fun while doing good at the same time. Madiba believed that every small effort counts in bring about change. My hope is that all rides of scooter bikes, superbikes and everything with two wheels and an engine will join us to make a massive impact to this cause.  As little as R180 can provide enough sanitary pads to keep one girl in school for an entire year, a little can do much,” says Zelda la Grange, organiser

Over  10 000 people have directly benefited from this initiative, it has helped to restore orphanages, delivered food parcels and blankets to old age homes, provided stationery to schools. They continued to plant vegetable gardens in needy communities and spruced up facilities at Rape Care centres and police stations across South Africa.

Interested riders can register for free at http://www.nelsonmandela.org/nelson-mandela-100. All the products donated will be distributed amongst less fortunate girls by the “bikers for Mandela” project partner, Mimi Women- a proudly South African organisation that makes sells and distributes sanitary pads.

On Saturday, 14 July, bikers are invited to meet at The Grand Parade in Cape Town CBD at 8:00am. The ride will then depart at 9:30am and travel to Drakenstein Prison. This is a City of Cape Town support initiative.

The Johannesburg rally will take place on Sunday, 15 July, from 8:00am at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton. By 9:30am the bikers will depart to travel to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Mpho Letsholenyane frees herself from pain and guilt

By Cherrol Skosana

The sports presenter, Mpho Letsholenyane took it to her social media account and confessed to living with guilt and pain of not being able to carry her unborn child full term. Mpho felt responsible for not giving her unborn baby life.

Ten years ago she took a decision of wearing a ring on her right hand to commemorate the loss of her unborn child.  However, she recently took a decision to retire the ring so that she can leave the guilt and pain in the past.  “Today I retire this ring. I am finally setting myself free from the pain and the guilt of not being able to carry you to the term… Of not being able to give you life…. even though I will still remember to never forget,” she wrote.

Mpho is now a mother of a four year old boy named Thato and she remains grateful to God for entrusting her with his life. In an interview with Move! Earlier this year she said motherhood has taught her valuable lessons.   It’s all thanks to her son she has learnt to be patient, “I have never been very patient before but he has taught me to improve on that,” she says.

Mpho Letsholenyane known for her passion for sports broadcasting is married to the soccer star Reneilwe Letsholenyane. The two celebrated their traditional wedding earlier this year, after secretly getting married in 2017. They have been inseparable since then. The Letsholenyanes flew to Paris last month for a baecation and we wish them nothing but the best on their love and marriage.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlBNeuQjAkP/?hl=en&taken-by=mpho_letsholonyane

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgvbJYYjSBH/?hl=en&taken-by=mpho_letsholonyane

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj6gfWEjNjW/?hl=en&taken-by=mpho_letsholonyane

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj_lNq5nuyo/?hl=en&taken-by=mpho_letsholonyane

“Married but not to each other “with Tumi Morake and Ndumiso Lindi

By Cherrol Skosana

South Africa’s most loved comedians join forces to travel across South Africa to tackle issues around marriages and relationships on their new show called “married but not to each other”.  The show’s concept “married but not to each other” suggests that they are both married but not married to each other. “Ndumiso and I come a way back since we were still dating our partners to being married to them,” Tumi who’s married to the famous actor Mpho Osei-Tutu emphasises.

This is a comedy show about relationships and marriages. It brings together couples to have a fun night and just forget about their problems at home. The show is more than just comedy, there’s a segment where they’re able to interact with the audiences. The audience is then able to ask questions and seek advice about relationships and marriage.

These two comedians aim to bring nothing but pure love and laughter, rekindle relationships and remind the couples of why they got married in the first place. The show has been receiving a positive feedback from couples and that’s what motivates Tumi and Ndumiso to keep on hosting these shows. It gives them joy and hopes to know that they are able to lend a helping hand where there is a need.

 “We’ve seen it happen, couples coming to our show not talking to each other and after the show , they’re holding hands and smiling,” Ndumiso shares.

Speaking to Move! Tumi Morake highlighted that it’s a genuine thing that they’re doing with Ndumiso. It’s very rare to find comedians who will think of using a marriage angle for their stage shows.

When Move! Asked them of their working relationship, “it’s fun working with Ndumiso, we’ve been friends for years, he’s very conservative and open-minded guy,” Tumi explains

“We’ve enjoyed taking the show around South Africa, people love it and they keep asking for more of these, we can see that these shows have a good impact on many relationships and marriages,” Ndumiso concludes.

Tickets are available at all Computicket stores or visit www.computicket.com .

New tour dates:

21 July- Sibaya Casino (Durban)

3^rd of August- Graceland Casino (Secunda, Mpumalanga)

Musa Mseleku on life and polygamy

By Cherrol Skosana

A respected business man, polygamist and UThando Ne’sthembu star, Musa Mseleku opens up about his book called life and polygamy.

Speaking to Move! , the star with four wives  and 10 children says his book is a revelation that aims to correct the misconceptions around polygamy.  At a time of writing his book, he felt that those who were doing it were not doing it right.  Hence this book acts as a guide on how to do it right. The well-known reality show, Uthando Nes’thembu emanates from this book to give exposure to the polygamous lifestyle because he felt that many people are not exposed to it.

When Move! asked him of what might be the cause of misconceptions about polygamy, Mseleku says that most men get into polygamy for all the wrong reasons, for instance, having marital problems one may think that by getting another wife the problems will go away. That’s not how it works, he advices. “Honesty is a key foundation to any relationship or marriage, if one wish to be in polygamy they must be honest from onset,” he explains.  Mseleku says he has seen many abused women and children as a result of negligence from their husbands and fathers.

 “If you want to be a polygamist, you must be emotionally strong and financially stable, you can’t have this lifestyle if you won’t be able to maintain it,” He concludes.