End of the line: Here’s when the old SA green ID book will be discontinued

South Africa's Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced on Thursday that production of the country's traditional green ID book will cease on 31 March 2027, part of a major digital transformation initiative. Speaking at the "Home Affairs’ Quantum Leap: A Vision for the Future of Government" event at Constitution Hill, Schreiber emphasized that the green ID book is outdated and linked to widespread fraud and identity theft on the continent.

The minister highlighted the green book as one of the most defrauded documents, a prime target for illegal immigration and identity theft. He assured that the decommissioning of the green ID will be accompanied by the rollout of Smart ID cards and a new Digital ID system, ensuring every eligible South African has secure proof of identity.

Schreiber outlined a comprehensive digital transformation plan, which is ahead of schedule. The Smart ID expansion has already seen over 515 bank branches offering biometric Smart ID replacements in just five minutes, with more than 822,000 citizens utilizing the service. By the end of 2026, this number is expected to grow to over 1,000 service points.

Additionally, courier delivery of IDs and passports to citizens' homes will commence for the first time, while electronic travel authorisation (ETA) has reduced visa processing times from weeks to 24 hours, potentially boosting tourism and economic growth.

The minister unveiled South Africa's first working Digital Identity credential, emphasizing that this system is designed to put citizens in control of their data, rather than the state. Plans are also underway for a biometrically-secured ePassport readable at electronic gates worldwide, aiming to enhance visa-free access for South Africans.

Perhaps the most ambitious reform is a campaign to document millions of South Africans who remain undocumented three decades into democracy. The government pledges that by the end of the current administration in 2029, every last South African citizen will be formally recognized for the first time in history. This biometric campaign will use mobile technology to reach rural and underserved communities, ensuring no citizen is left excluded from formal recognition.

Schreiber stressed that these reforms are not merely about efficiency but also about restoring dignity to all South Africans. By eliminating the fraud-prone green ID book and providing formal documentation to every citizen, the government aims to deliver hope and dignity for all, marking a new era of transparency and security in South Africa.