The Verdict: Unlikely
Below around R37,000 a month, the retirement routes are out of reach unless your income rises. Look at Digital Nomad if you earn from remote work, or Golden Visa if you have substantial capital.
The regulations set no figure; it is fixed by ministerial notice, and R37,000 a month is the figure in general use. There is no reduced tier, and a lump sum of savings does not count as income.
The figure can be made up from several sources together: a partial pension, rental income, dividends and regular investment drawings. Capital moved into income-producing assets does count, which is a real option for some people.
Digital Nomad needs at least R1 million a year from remote work for an employer outside South Africa. Golden Visa grants permanent residence directly on a net worth reported at around R12 million. If you have a South African parent, check Citizenship by Descent first: you may already be a citizen.