Innovation
How to skip the queue for smart ID cards
A new API has allowed a number of South African banks to integrate with the Department of Home Affairs to create a faster way for citizens to get their smart IDs.
06 May 2026
The green ID book that’s been the official form of identification for South Africans since 1986 was replaced by the smart ID card in 2013. The books are still valid for identification, and are being used by around 16mn South Africans, according to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). But the green mambas’ days are numbered, and the department expects 2026 to be the last year that they’ll be printed, chiefly because they’re used to commit fraud and identify theft.
The other challenge is that only a round 54% of Home Affairs branches have live-capture biometric equipment needed for smart ID cards, which is compounded by long queues and service failures. The department has now partnered with a number of banks to supply new ID cards.
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