Quick Facts

• Transfer fees: 1% to 5% (much cheaper than banks)
• Send to 70+ countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe
• Over 1 million South Africans use Mama Money
• SARB licensed and regulated
• Sign up with foreign passport, asylum document, or SA ID
• Partnered with Capitec for even lower fees

What is Mama Money?

Mama Money is a mobile money transfer service. It helps people in South Africa send money home to family in other countries.

The company started in 2015. It was created to help migrant workers. These workers often pay very high fees to banks. Mama Money charges much lower fees.

As of December 2025, over 1 million people use Mama Money. The service is licensed by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). This means it is legal and safe.

What Services Does Mama Money Offer?

You can use Mama Money to:

• Send money to 70+ countries
• Get a bank account with the Mama Money Card
• Receive your salary into your Mama Money account
• Buy airtime, electricity, and data
• Shop online or in stores using your Mama Card
• Send cash to Pick n Pay, Shoprite, or Checkers
• Save money in US Dollars

✅ Who Can Use Mama Money?

Anyone in South Africa can use Mama Money. You do not need a South African ID.

You Can Sign Up With:

• Foreign passport – From any country
• Asylum document – If you have applied for asylum in South Africa
• South African ID – If you are a South African citizen

You do not need a smartphone. You can use Mama Money without airtime. Even people with basic literacy skills can use the service.

⚠️ Fees and Costs (December 2025)

Mama Money charges a flat fee of 5% or less. Some fees are as low as 1%. This is much cheaper than banks or Western Union.

Transfer Fee Examples:

Amount Sent	Destination	Fee	Total Cost
R1,000	Zimbabwe	R10 (1%)	R1,010
R5,000	Zimbabwe	R50 (1%)	R5,050
R1,500	Nigeria	R75 (5%)	R1,575
R2,000	India	R100 (5%)	R2,100

Mama Money Card Costs:

• Once-off card cost: R99 (Some branches offer R100)
• Monthly fee: R25
• First month: FREE for new customers

How Much You Save vs Banks:

If you send R1,500 per month to Zimbabwe:

• Traditional bank: Around R180 per transfer (12%)
• Western Union: Around R105 per transfer (7%)
• Mama Money: R15 to R75 per transfer (1-5%)
• Annual savings: Up to R1,260 per year

How to Use Mama Money: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Sign Up for Mama Money

Option 1 – Sign Up on Your Phone:

1. Download the Mama Money app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Open the app and click “Sign Up”
3. Enter your full name, address, and phone number
4. Upload a photo of your ID (passport, asylum document, or SA ID)
5. Take a selfie to verify your identity
6. Wait 24 hours for approval

Option 2 – Sign Up at a Mama Money Agent:

1. Find a Mama Money agent near you (over 650 agents in South Africa)
2. Visit the agent with your ID document
3. Fill in the registration form
4. The agent will help you sign up
5. You can use Mama Money immediately

Option 3 – Sign Up at PEP Stores:

You can also register at any PEP store. PEP is Mama Money’s main retail partner.

Step 2: Send Money

1. Open the Mama Money app
2. Click “Send Money”
3. Choose the country you want to send to
4. Enter the amount in Rand
5. Add your recipient’s details (name, phone number, bank account)
6. Choose how they will get the money (bank, mobile money, cash pickup)
7. Check the fee and exchange rate
8. Confirm the transfer

Step 3: Pay for Your Transfer

You can pay in three ways:

• Bank transfer (EFT): Transfer from your bank account to Mama Money
• Cash deposit: Deposit cash at Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, or any of 32,000 cash points
• Mama Money Card: Use funds from your Mama Money Payroll Green Card

Step 4: Track Your Transfer

You can track your transfer in the Mama Money app. Most transfers arrive within 24 hours. Mobile money transfers can arrive in minutes.

✅ Mama Money Card (Payroll Green Card)

The Mama Money Card is a bank card for foreign nationals. It works like a normal bank account.

What Can You Do With the Card?

• Receive your salary directly into your Mama Money account
• Shop at any store in South Africa
• Withdraw cash from any ATM
• Buy online from South African websites
• Send money internationally
• Buy airtime, electricity, and data
• Send cash to Pick n Pay, Shoprite, or Checkers

How to Get a Mama Money Card:

1. Download the Mama Money app
2. Register with your passport or asylum document
3. Apply for the card in the app
4. Pay R99 once-off
5. Wait 7 to 10 days for delivery
6. Activate your card using the app

You can also get your card at Pick n Pay stores. This is faster than waiting for delivery.

WhatsApp Banking Feature:

You can manage your Mama Money Card through WhatsApp. This uses less data than the app.

• Check your balance
• Download bank statements
• Transfer money
• Buy airtime and electricity
• Freeze your card if lost or stolen

Capitec Bank and Mama Money Partnership (2025)

In August 2025, Capitec Bank partnered with Mama Money. This makes sending money even cheaper and faster.

How It Works:

1. Log into your Capitec mobile app
2. Select “Mama Money” from the menu
3. Generate a 12-digit Universal Mama Money Token
4. Enter recipient details
5. Send money instantly

Benefits of Using Capitec + Mama Money:

• Lower fees: As low as 5% (down from 8-12% industry average)
• Faster transfers: Complete within minutes instead of days
• No recipient bank account needed: Recipients can collect cash from partner banks
• Send to 70+ countries: Including Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

The recipient does not need a bank account. They receive an SMS. They can collect money from partner banks or agents in over 70 countries.

✅ Is Mama Money Safe? Licensing and Regulation

Yes, Mama Money is safe and legal. Here’s why:

Official Licensing:

• Licensed by SARB: The South African Reserve Bank regulates Mama Money
• Registered with FSCA: The Financial Sector Conduct Authority oversees Mama Money
• POPIA compliant: Your personal data is protected under SA law
• FICA compliant: All money transfers follow anti-money laundering rules

Security Features:

• Your money is kept in a separate account (not mixed with company money)
• Strong encryption protects your data
• Identity verification for all users
• Real-time tracking of all transfers
• Instant card freeze through WhatsApp if card is lost or stolen

Customer Support:

• WhatsApp: +27 64 802 8428
• Phone: +27 64 802 8428
• Email: Through the Mama Money app
• In-person: At any Mama Money agent location

🚨 Money Transfer Scams to Avoid (December 2025)

Scammers target people who send money home. They pretend to be from Mama Money or other companies. Here’s how to stay safe:

Common Scams in South Africa:

Red Flags – Never Trust Anyone Who:

• Asks for your password or PIN
• Promises to get your money back for a fee
• Sends you a link to “verify” your account
• Asks you to pay upfront before sending money
• Contacts you from an unknown number claiming to be Mama Money
• Offers exchange rates that are “too good to be true”

Report Scams:

• Mama Money: WhatsApp +27 64 802 8428
• SABRIC (Banking fraud): 0860 123 000
• SAPS (Police): 10111
• FSCA: 0800 110 443

Alternatives to Mama Money (December 2025)

Mama Money is not the only option. Here are other services you can compare:

Service	Transfer Fee	Countries	Best For
Mama Money	1-5%	70+	African countries, foreign nationals
Western Union	7-12%	200+	Worldwide coverage, cash pickup
WorldRemit	0.5-5%	130+	Mobile money, airtime top-up
Wise	Low fixed fee	80+	Transparent fees, mid-market rate
Mukuru	Variable	50+	Southern Africa focus
Remitly	Variable	100+	Asia, South America, Africa

How to Choose the Best Service:

1. Check the total cost: Compare fee + exchange rate, not just the fee
2. Speed matters: Mama Money is fast (usually within 24 hours)
3. Recipient needs: Can they collect cash? Do they have a bank account?
4. Your payment method: Cash, bank transfer, or card?
5. How often you send: Regular senders save more with lower fees

⚠️ How to Complain About Mama Money

If you have a problem with Mama Money, follow these steps:

Step 1: Contact Mama Money First

Always try to solve the problem directly with Mama Money:

• WhatsApp: +27 64 802 8428 (fastest response)
• Phone: +27 64 802 8428
• App: Use the “Help” section in the Mama Money app
• In person: Visit a Mama Money agent

Keep records of all communication. Save screenshots and reference numbers.

Step 2: Escalate to Management

If customer support does not help within 5 working days, ask to speak to a manager. Request a formal complaints reference number.

Step 3: Report to Regulators

If Mama Money does not solve your problem within 20 working days, contact:

What Information to Provide:

• Your full name and contact details
• Your Mama Money account number
• Date and time of the transaction
• Amount sent and recipient details
• Description of the problem
• What you want Mama Money to do (refund, complete transfer, etc.)
• Copies of all communication with Mama Money

Mama Money is a good choice if you:

• Send money regularly to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, or other African countries
• Are a foreign national struggling to open a South African bank account
• Want lower fees than banks or Western Union
• Need to receive your salary into a simple account
• Have a Capitec bank account (for even lower fees)

Mama Money might not be the best if you:

• Send very large amounts (over R20,000) – fees can add up
• Need to send to countries Mama Money doesn’t cover
• Want the absolute best exchange rate (compare with Wise first)
• Need instant transfers (bank transfers take 24 hours)

Quick Safety Checklist:

• ✅ Always download the official Mama Money app from Google Play or Apple App Store
• ✅ Never share your PIN or password with anyone
• ✅ Only use official Mama Money agents (check the app for locations)
• ✅ Save the official WhatsApp number: +27 64 802 8428
• ✅ Compare fees before every transfer
• ✅ Keep records of all transfers
• ✅ Report scams immediately to SABRIC: 0860 123 000

Bottom Line: Mama Money is one of the cheapest and safest ways to send money from South Africa as of December 2025. The SARB license and partnership with Capitec make it trustworthy. Over 1 million South Africans already use the service. Just remember to watch out for scams and always use official channels.