End of an era coming for the green ID book in South Africa
South Africa is moving toward a fully digital identity system, signalling the end of an era for the iconic green ID book.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has confirmed that the department aims to have a complete digital ID system in place by the 2029 general elections, with plans to stop producing green ID books as early as 2026.
While no firm date has been set to officially retire the green ID book, Schreiber stressed that this can only happen once all South Africans have access to the new Smart IDs.
The push to digitise civic services is part of a broader Government of National Unity initiative under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s second term.
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi launched South Africa’s Digital Transformation Roadmap in May 2025, introducing a vision for a digital public services platform called MyMzansi.
The roadmap was accompanied by the creation of the Digital Service Unit (DSU), a dedicated team within the Presidency tasked with developing the platform.
In November, Malatsi unveiled a working prototype of MyMzansi at the Global Digital Public Infrastructure Summit, showcasing how government services could be accessed digitally.
The platform’s first services include a smartphone application and a digital driving licence card, featuring an online licence renewal system.
Malatsi demonstrated that a driver’s licence could be renewed in minutes, with credentials verified and details updated seamlessly through the system, all connected to national databases.
He described the prototype as central to the government’s broader digital transformation plan, offering a glimpse of how future public services will operate.
Banks are also playing a critical role in the transition away from the green ID book. South Africa’s major banks have committed to expanding Smart ID services to at least 840 branches over the next year.
Banks play a crucial role in the end of ID books
In August 2025, Schreiber announced that Discovery Bank had joined the government’s digital partnership program, which already included Capitec and FNB.
Standard Bank and Absa soon followed, expanding the initiative and making Smart ID and passport services accessible at more branches than ever before.
Previously, only five banks—Absa, Discovery, FNB, Nedbank, and Standard Bank—offered limited Home Affairs services through 30 satellite branches.
These services were part of a decades-old pilot project that had been criticised for being cumbersome, costly, and prone to system downtime.
Schreiber explained that upgrades to the Online Verification Service (OVS) and integration into banking apps and systems would overcome these challenges, streamlining service delivery and expanding access for South Africans nationwide.
The urgency of this transition is driven by escalating identity fraud, with green barcoded ID books identified as a major vulnerability.
The DHA warned that these documents are highly susceptible to forgery and identity theft due to their lack of modern security features.
A 2025 report by Smile ID found that green ID books have a fraud rate of 34%, the highest among identification documents on the African continent.
In response, Schreiber has launched a comprehensive plan to phase out the green ID book in favour of Smart ID cards, which incorporate advanced security features such as embedded chips and biometric data.
To ensure widespread adoption, the DHA is deploying multiple measures. Beyond banking partnerships, 220 mobile units known as “Home Affairs on Wheels” have been sent to underserved communities to provide Smart ID services.
Schreiber noted that manual, paper-based systems are inherently vulnerable to manipulation and that digitisation is key to strengthening security.
The new Smart ID system will allow citizens to access services online, using features similar to modern banking platforms, including facial and fingerprint recognition.
Loading ...