# South African social grant increase demands

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-social-grant-increase-demands
> Updated: 2026-09-11T21:12:08.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Discussions regarding the increase of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants have emerged from both political and grassroots perspectives.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has proposed increasing the old-age grant to a minimum of R4,500 per month, framing social grants as a right earned through tax contributions. Malema also criticized current social relief amounts and suggested new grants for unemployed graduates.

Concurrently, pensioners organized by the Pensioners of South Africa (POSA) have launched nationwide pickets and an online petition demanding an increase of the Older Persons Grant from R2,400 to R5,000. Beyond the amount of the grant, protesters have highlighted logistical failures within SASSA, including payment delays, system issues, and difficulties transitioning to new banking cards.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: South African pensioners demand SASSA grant increase to R5,000

South African pensioners are protesting for the SASSA Older Persons Grant to be increased from R2,400 to R5,000 monthly to combat the rising cost of living.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-african-pensioners-demand-sassa-grant-increase-to-r5000

### 2026-09-06: Julius Malema pledges to increase SASSA grants to R4,500

EFF leader Julius Malema has promised to increase SASSA old-age grants to at least R4,500 per month if his party takes power in the upcoming local government elections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/julius-malema-pledges-to-increase-sassa-grants-to-r4500

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Cite as: South African social grant increase demands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-social-grant-increase-demands