Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to embrace the new smart card ID, saying the new model will transform the country’s security systems.
“I call on all citizens to come forward and be smart… the new smart ID cards are indeed very smart,” Zuma said on Monday morning. He was speaking after Home Affairs officials processed his smart card ID application at the presidential residence in Mahlamba Ndlopfu, Pretoria.
“I’ve just done my own smart ID now and I must thank Home Affairs for this development. We have thought the ID we had after 1994 was the final one but now we are moving to the smart cards, which are [secure] and easy to carry,” said Zuma.
The process took about 15 minutes and included finger print verification, a picture and an electronic signature. Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the President will receive his smart ID card on 18 July. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Winnie Madikizela Mandela are among others who will also receive theirs.
Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor has said it would take between six and eight years for all South Africans to get smart identification document (ID) cards, which would replace the green ID books.
Officials say the new cards would take five to ten days to produce and deliver, compared with the current 47 days for paper documents. The Government Printing Works would produce the cards on behalf of government. – SAnews.gov.za
