Black Sash

24/08/2026

💡 Money Smart Week SA | Know Your Consumer Rights

Being money smart means knowing your rights and using them to make informed financial decisions.

Consumers have the right to privacy and protection of their personal information, the freedom to choose their suppliers, and protection against fraudulent, false, misleading, and unlawful marketing practices. Understanding these rights empowers consumers to make confident choices and avoid unfair business practices.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube:https://youtu.be/cN53oKnvKU0?si=uPyPWihwxz0rRxJ0

21/08/2026

Strengthening Social Security Rights through Knowledge & Collaboration

Yesterday, Black Sash, together with the Department of Social Development, hosted a Capacity Building Workshop on Social Security Rights, Appeals and Fraud.

The workshop brought together practitioners and stakeholders to deepen our understanding of South Africa’s social security system, social insurance, redress mechanisms, appeals and the impact of fraud.

The day was not only about sharing information, but about learning from lived experiences, asking difficult questions and strengthening our collective ability to support people in accessing their social security rights.

Through meaningful discussions, group work and reflection, we explored how advocacy, collaboration and effective redress mechanisms can help ensure that social protection reaches the people who need it most.

A big thank you to the Department of Social Development, our facilitators and everyone who participated and contributed to the conversations.

Social security is a right. Knowing your rights is the first step towards claiming them. ✊🏽

20/08/2026

📢 We Are Hiring!

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of communities across South Africa?

Black Sash is looking for a dedicated Regional Manager to lead our Western Cape Regional Office and help advance our mission of promoting social justice and human rights.

📍 Position: Regional Manager (Western Cape)
📝 Apply now and help create lasting change..

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://www.blacksash.org.za/black-sash-is-hiring-regional-manager/

19/08/2026

Black Sash is proud to partner with the Southern African Civil Society Forum 2026 under the theme: “Democratic Futures in Africa: Advancing Accountable Governance, Social Justice, Economic Transformation and Human Dignity in Southern Africa.”

On Day 2 of the Forum, Black Sash facilitated a session titled “Social Protection, Civic Accountability and Citizen Monitoring.”

The session provided a practical demonstration of Black Sash’s Community Based Monitoring (CBM) Project, highlighting how evidence gathered from communities is used to strengthen advocacy efforts and hold government accountable for service delivery. While Community-Based Monitoring approaches are applied across the continent, Black Sash shared valuable insights from our own experiences, including both achievements and challenges, and reflected on how this work continues to advance our mission to .

18/08/2026

SOUTHERN AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM 2026 | 18–21 August 2026 | Durban, South Africa.

CoRMSA is pleased to join the Southern African Civil Society Forum 2026, under the theme: “Democratic Futures in Africa: Advancing Accountable Governance, Social Justice, Economic Transformation and Human Dignity in Southern Africa.”

As part of the programme, CoRMSA will host Session 6: Advancing the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons, bringing together experts to discuss human mobility as a driver of regional integration, economic growth, social cohesion and sustainable development.

The session will also advocate for a shift from the criminalisation of migration towards rights-based, inclusive and people-centred migration governance.

The gathering if cooridinated by the Southern African Council of Non-Governmental Organisations in partnership with other partners. SADC Oxfam Oxfam South Africa Black Sash Amnesty International South Africa CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

17/08/2026

🚨 31 AUGUST 2026 IS FAST APPROACHING! 🚨

Still using a SASSA Gold Card? Don't wait until the last minute.

To avoid disruptions to your grant payments, switch to a Postbank Black Card or a bank of your choice before 31 August 2026.

📖 Read what you need to know: https://www.blacksash.org.za/sassa-gold-card-replacement-heres-what-grant-beneficiaries-need-to-know/

⚠️ Experiencing challenges with the switch? Contact the Black Sash National Helpline for free paralegal advice:

📞 072 633 3739 / 063 610 1865
📧 [email protected]

Thousands of social grant beneficiaries who are still using the SASSA Gold Card have been told they must complete the replacement process before 31 August 2026 or risk disruption to their grant payments. After several deadline extensions since early 2025, there is still confusion about whether this....

14/08/2026

Black Sash Gauteng Regional Office, in partnership with the National Helpline, hosted a rights education workshop at Vuselela Ulwazi Dropping Centre in Diepsloot on 14 August 2026.

The session focused on the right to social assistance, addressing concerns around the SASSA verification process and informing community members about their rights. Participants were also introduced to Black Sash Chat, our self-service platform that provides information and support on social assistance matters.

📱 Access Black Sash SashChat through our website, page, or WhatsApp for information, guidance, and support.

14/08/2026

Community members in Ensimbini (Efolweni) came together for a Black Sash awareness session at Qhosheyphethe Primary School to learn about the different types of social grants and the requirements for accessing them.

The session provided valuable information on grant eligibility, application processes, and the documents needed when applying. More than 35 community members attended and actively engaged in discussions, raising questions and sharing challenges they face when accessing social assistance.

Black Sash documented requests for assistance and concerns raised during the session, which will be escalated for follow-up support. Through community education and advocacy, Black Sash continues to empower people with information and support them in accessing their rights and essential services.

13/08/2026

Black Sash KZN Regional Manager, Evashnee Naidu, was one of the panel speakers at the Democracy Development Program NPC Annual Women’s Conference today, held under the theme: "Politics of Gender Representation: Enhancing Transformative Representation of Women in Local Government."

Drawing on findings from the Black Sash May Community-Based Monitoring (CBM) Report, Evashnee spoke about advocacy, policy, and systemic change in advancing comprehensive social protection. She highlighted the realities faced by women in accessing social grants, free basic services, and other essential services, sharing the lived experiences of women on the ground.

Black Sash also presented recommendations from women themselves on how to make access to quality service delivery a reality, emphasizing the need for transformative approaches that place women's voices, needs, and experiences at the centre of decision-making.

12/08/2026

Missed the SashChat launch? We've got you covered!

Watch this demonstration to see how SashChat, Black Sash's new online assistant, works. Designed to make information and support more accessible, SashChat provides assistance in all South African official languages, offers 24/7 support, and helps connect people to the information they need.

Take a look and discover how SashChat is helping make human rights information more accessible for all.