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The South African Savings Institute has dubbed July “savings month”.

But as many South Africans have experienced some financial setbacks, such as job losses and pay cuts, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is it still possible for people to save under these tough economic conditions? PHOTO FLICKR

Have a listen to what John Manyike, head of financial education at Old Mutu

Sassa bosses, and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu on Wednesday apologised to Sassa recipents for the recent queuing crisis at centres across the country.

Graeme Raubenheimer filed this report.

We recently brought you the shocking story of some of the most vulnerable of our people,
running the risk of dying on the doorsteps of the South African Social Security Agency.
Last week, hundreds of elderly and disabled people had to stand
in snaking queues for days to access their social grants.
Paseka Lesatsi, the National spokesperson for Sassa,
joined us to outline what systems are being
put in place to ensure that this never happens again.

The South African Social Security Agency has recently launched a new online system which will enable grant recipients, to book a doctor’s appointment, without having to physically visit one of its offices. You will also be able to apply for a grant without physically going to the offices. The Acting Regional Executive Manager of Sassa, Abraham Mahlangu says the system went online

in parts of the Western Cape this week and should be rolled out across the country by the end of May.

Almost one million people in South Africa receive a disability grant every month.
For years the images of the most vulnerable standing in long queues have become the norm. But when 200 000 temporary disability grants expired at the end of December last year the system was overwhelmed. The South African Social Services Agency says it was forced to find innovative ways of providing its services. Now it’s introduced an online booking system which was launched in the Western Cape. To explain how it works, we were joined by Abraham Mahlangu, the regional director of Sassa Western Cape.

South Africa’s Social Services Agency has called for patience as it processes COVID-19 grant applications. It’s received nearly 14 million applications since August and over eight million have been approved. Those who have been rejected can lodge appeals.
Community activist Israel Nkuna has been helping people in Limpopo who are struggling to their grants paid.

Questions being raised about how effective the handing out of these food parcels are

Sassa concerned about fake news doing the rounds.