‘I live mainly on bread’: SASSA pensioners reveal how far R2400 really stretches
· The South African
South Africans are speaking out about the daily struggle to survive on their SASSA Older Persons Grant, with many admitting they’ve resorted to skipping meals, eating mostly bread, and relying on soya mince to make it through the month.
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The comments flooded in after The South African reported on a pensioner who said her SASSA grant fails to last the month, prompting hundreds of readers to share their own experiences of going hungry while waiting for the next payment.
‘Lots Of Bread in My Tummy’
One commenter, Sarah Van Greunen, painted a stark picture of her daily diet, saying she survives mostly on bread and joked darkly that people would find evidence of it if she died. Her comment was met with sympathy from other users, including Margaret Le Roux, who reassured her that she wasn’t alone in the struggle.
Another reader described the added pressure of caring for a family member while relying on an insufficient pension, explaining that supporting her mother is especially difficult because she also cares for her 14-year-old son, who has special needs and requires round-the-clock attention.
Soya Mince, Eggs, and ‘No Name’ Soup: SASSA pensioners name the food they eat
For many pensioners, stretching a grant means getting creative in the kitchen. Daniel Lourens said he has become skilled at designing meals that stretch further, listing soya mince, eggs, pasta, and no-name brand soup used as a sauce among his go-to staples.
Other users pointed to community support structures as a possible lifeline. Deborah Frame suggested pensioners struggling to feed themselves reach out to Meals on Wheels for assistance.
A Growing Public Outcry
The flood of comments highlights growing frustration among grant recipients who say the Older Persons Grant, while a critical lifeline, simply isn’t enough to cover basic nutrition, let alone additional costs like caring for dependents with special needs.
As the cost of living continues to rise, pensioners and their families are calling for grant increases that reflect real-world expenses, rather than figures that leave many surviving on bread alone.
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