Premier Mabuza gets his Smart ID Card
30 January 2014
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has received his new Smart ID Card from Home Affairs. Although he decided to fetch today [Thursday, 30 January 2014], the process of applying and receiving it took him only three days.
As the first citizen of Mpumalanga, Premier Mabuza was afforded an opportunity by the Home Affairs Department last week to apply for his Smart ID Card first, in order to allow other members of the provincial legislature and senior citizens to follow.
Speaking to journalists outside the Nelspruit Home Affairs Offices today, Premier Mabuza said receiving his smart card was an indication that the past was slowly fading away.
“The process of applying is very easy, I think people will like it,” said Mabuza.
He added that the provincial government would certainly assist the Home Affairs Department achieve its targets of issuing at least 100 000 Smart ID Cards in Mpumalanga by the end of March this year by bringing the elderly to their offices.
“We feel that it should not be difficult for old people to get their Smart ID Cards, we will assist Home Affairs by providing a comfortable transport which will make it easy for them to come in numbers,” said Mabuza.
Shortly after applying for his card last week Tuesday, Mabuza described the experience as “freedom” and moving away from the painful past. He said he was finally “liberated” and urged the citizens to “rubberstamp” the newly founded democracy by getting their new Smart ID Cards.
The roll-out of the Smart ID Cards in Mpumalanga is currently taking place in Nelspruit, Witbank and in Middelburg. Piet Retief and Ermelo offices are expected to follow soon once they have been fully equipped.
The Department of Home Affairs will soon be inviting citizens to apply for their Smart Id Cards according their dates of birth.
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za
