Green ID Books to Vanish! Get Your Smart ID Card Now, South Africa!
South Africa is phasing out the old green ID book by 2029! Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says the green ID book is vulnerable to fraud and forgery, making it essential to switch to the more secure smart ID card.
End of an Era for Green ID Books
The Department of Home Affairs will cease production of the green ID book by the end of this year. However, branches lacking smart ID card issuance capabilities will continue printing green IDs as needed in the interim.
Smart ID Card Rollout
Since 2013, nearly 30 million smart ID cards have been issued. Approximately 18 million South Africans are still using their green ID books. Banks in South Africa will play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to smart IDs.
Concerns Over Digital Verification Costs
Prof Stella Bvuma from UJ highlights the challenge of balancing modern economics with addressing social inequalities. The Department of Home Affairs increased the cost of real-time identity verification from 15c to R10, a 6,500% increase! This upgrade is necessary to combat fraud, cybercrime, and money laundering in the digital age.
While essential for financial services digitization, the fee hike raises concerns about accessibility for lower-income South Africans. Capitec will absorb the increase, but TymeGroup worries about the impact on vulnerable customers, calling it a “regressive tax.”
Impact on Unbanked Population
Bringing South Africa's large unbanked population into the financial system requires affordable digital solutions. The increased cost of identity verification could hinder these efforts, potentially excluding the poor from accessing essential services.
Don't wait! Get your smart ID card now to avoid future complications and ensure you have secure identification.