The end is nigh for those old battered and tattered green identity books leaving many with mixed feelings of anxiety, nostalgia, and sheer frustration.
While the Department of Home Affairs clarified that the phase-out isn’t official yet, earlier this week, rumours of an end-of-year deadline caused a panic. However, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza — during an interview with the SABC — assured citizens that no final cut-off date has been approved yet.
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However the minister warned that using the old green book instead of converting to the new Smart ID card, made citizens more vulnerable to ID fraud.
Very soon, before the end of the year, we anticipate that we will stop issuing green barcoded IDs,” said Nzuza. “We encourage everyone to migrate to the Smart ID card to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud, which the green book is prone to.
The department has been running the Smart ID programme since 2013, however, many people still possess their green-barcoded ID book a decade later.
“If it ain’t broke…”
For many Pietermaritzburg residents, the green ID book isn’t just an identity document; it’s an old, battle-hardened friend.
Loretta Wilson wrote, “This baby has taken care of me through all my years. I have had it since I was 16. Can’t seem to let go of it.”
Another commenter, Gael Dewar, said, “I queued for 20 hours and paid twice for my passport and ID card. That card is locked away, and I keep using my old book ID. If the government guarantees our possessions won’t be stolen, I’ll use the card.”
Some feel the green book, while old-fashioned, is doing just fine. Lee-Ann Clarke argued, “There’s nothing wrong with my green ID book. The smart card comes at a cost to me, so no, I am in no hurry to queue.”
Cost concerns
Many citizens feel the government should foot the bill if it insists on the upgrade.
Linda Ngcobo pointed out, “If Home Affairs doesn’t make it free — I paid for my green one — then I might as well be an undocumented foreigner in my own country.”
Shaun Govender echoed this frustration, saying, “It’s unfair to make people pay for a change the government requires. At the end of the day, the poor and needy will not be able to do this.”
Others added that the real cost isn’t just money but time.
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With long queues at Home Affairs offices and reports of inefficiencies, many are reluctant to endure what they see as an unnecessarily painful process.
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