South Africa is on the verge of a major shift in its identity system. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has set ambitious plans to phase out the traditional green bar-coded ID book and replace it with Smart ID cards. The goal is to make Smart IDs available to all South Africans by the end of 2025, paving the way for a fully digital identity system by 2029.
The Push for Smart ID Rollout
Speaking at the IEC Conference & Exhibition on Electronic Voting Technologies, Schreiber reaffirmed the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) commitment to expanding access to Smart IDs like never before.
To achieve this, the department plans to scale up ID and passport services at bank branches. Over the past decade, a pilot program has successfully offered these services at around 30 branches. Now, the goal is to expand this initiative to hundreds—possibly even a thousand—bank branches nationwide.
Schreiber emphasized that Smart IDs are far more secure than green ID books, which are prone to fraud. “By increasing accessibility, we can eventually discontinue the green bar-coded ID book,” he stated.
Why Has the Green ID Book Lasted This Long?
Originally, Home Affairs aimed to phase out the green ID book between 2018 and 2022. However, the department cannot invalidate the document until all South Africans have access to a Smart ID replacement. That’s why the 2025 deadline is so critical—the government must ensure full accessibility before discontinuing the old system.
Naturalized citizens and permanent residents have faced delays due to IT system constraints. While working on a permanent solution, Home Affairs has introduced a manual verification process for these applicants.
A Fully Digital ID System by 2029?
Beyond Smart IDs, the DHA is working on an advanced digital ID system to be implemented by 2029. This system will allow citizens to securely store and verify their identity digitally.
The digital ID platform will use biometric verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprints, to confirm a person’s identity. It is expected to integrate with various government services, ensuring seamless transactions, such as receiving state subsidies directly into linked bank accounts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have backed this initiative, seeing it as a way to enhance security and streamline public services.
What’s Next for South Africans?
For now, the immediate focus remains on rolling out Smart IDs nationwide. If Home Affairs meets its 2025 target, South Africans could say goodbye to green ID books forever. By 2029, a fully digital identity system may become a reality, reshaping the way citizens interact with government services.
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