‘Never contributed a cent’: Pensioners clash over who deserves support
· The South African
One comment cut through the noise of a recent SASSA discussion and set off a heated debate about fairness. Judi Black explained that she and others like her had paid taxes “for more than 65 years, all our working lives,” yet don’t qualify for a government pension because they contributed to a private pension fund instead. To make matters worse, she says that private pensions are still taxed, leaving contributors feeling penalised for having planned.
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‘A hobo in the street’ can claim more, readers argue
Black’s comment didn’t stop there. She argued that someone who has “never contributed one cent to the betterment of the country” can access a grant, a disability payment and a government pension all at once, a claim that resonated with several other commenters frustrated by what they see as an unequal system.
The comment reignited a familiar tension between those who feel the tax system rewards non-contributors while punishing workers and savers. Gingie Thembani took the opposing view entirely, simply urging SASSA to “tell workers to pay more Tax” to fund grants, a suggestion that clashes directly with pensioners like Black, who already feel overburdened. The exchange highlights a deepening divide among South Africans over who should carry the financial weight of the country’s social support system, and who should benefit from it.
A system many feel needs rethinking
Beyond the tax argument, the broader comment section reflected growing unease about whether SASSA’s structure fairly balances support among pensioners, private contributors, and those relying solely on state assistance. With emotions running high and comments split down the middle, it’s clear this isn’t just a policy debate for many South Africans; it’s personal.
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