South Africa starts Monday with a deadline for SASSA Gold Cards, a public appearance by a KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer at the Madlanga Commission and a major Volkswagen anniversary event in the Eastern Cape.
Here are the verified developments on the national agenda on 31 August 2026.
SASSA Gold Cards stop working after today
Postbank says SASSA Gold Cards will stop working after 31 August, making Monday the last day before the old cards are deactivated.
The bank has been urging beneficiaries who still use Gold Cards to move to Postbank Black Cards. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development said last week that it wanted urgent clarity from Postbank and SASSA on readiness for the deadline, including support for older people, people with disabilities and beneficiaries in rural areas.
The committee also asked for assurances that grant recipients who had tried to replace their cards would not be left without access to their money. EBNewsDaily has previously reported on the approaching card deadline.
Govender due back at Madlanga Commission
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer Lieutenant-Colonel Deenadayalan Govender is expected to give evidence in public at the Madlanga Commission from 09:30.
The commission rejected part of his application to give evidence behind closed doors, according to reports by IOL and The Citizen. Evidence linked to a separate in-camera witness and a counter-intelligence operation will remain closed to the public.
Govender has previously denied allegations made against him during the commission’s hearings. Monday’s evidence is expected to deal with parts of a formal notice issued to him by the commission. The commission has not made final findings on the allegations.
Ramaphosa heads to Volkswagen anniversary in Kariega
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to address Volkswagen Group Africa’s 75th anniversary dinner at its Kariega plant at 18:00.
The Presidency said Volkswagen would unveil a new vehicle model that will be built at the Eastern Cape plant. The event is also expected to focus on the competitiveness and future of South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry.
Volkswagen’s South African operation marked a production record in July, when the Kariega plant built 17 009 vehicles, according to company information published ahead of the anniversary. EBNewsDaily has more background on the Kariega anniversary programme.
Search continues for South Africans missing in Nepal
Efforts are continuing to locate six South Africans reported missing after severe flooding in Nepal.
SABC News reported on Sunday that the group remained unaccounted for as search operations continued. The development follows destructive flooding and landslides in the Himalayan region. The identities of the missing South Africans had not been publicly confirmed in the latest report.
EBNewsDaily’s continuing report on the Nepal search operation will be updated when verified information is released.
Economic and political diary
Political parties begin a constituency period after the submission of candidate lists for the 4 November local government elections. The Electoral Commission is expected to verify the lists before releasing preliminary candidate figures during the week.
Economists will also watch August manufacturing activity data and new-vehicle sales for a fresh reading on business conditions. Both releases come as the government and business prepare the next phase of their economic partnership.
