Government’s digitisation efforts across the public service continues to gain momentum, with the Department of Home Affairs having launched Phase II of its highly successful Trusted Employer Scheme (TES).
Monday’s launch is a step in modernising South Africa's immigration system to reduce red tape, attract investment and support economic growth and job creation.
In South Africa’s Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of Government foreword, written by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the President said important steps to improve the quality of and access to services have been taken and that digital platforms have expanded in many areas, making it possible to file taxes, apply for grants and access some services online. He flagged the experience of accessing public services as a time-consuming and expensive exercise with information being hard to find in some instances.
“These issues affect everyone, but they are most challenging for the poor and those who reside far from government service centres. This roadmap is government’s commitment to change this situation. It sets out a focused plan to modernise how we deliver services by investing in shared systems, improving coordination and removing the barriers that make it difficult for people to get what they need. The roadmap outlines better ways to verify identity, reduce fraud, share data safely, make and receive payments and access services through a single trusted platform,” he said.
The Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of the South African Government addresses the urgent need for a transformative shift in governmental operations by unifying previously fragmented digital initiatives into a comprehensive, whole-of-government vision. The roadmap aims to modernise public service delivery.
This as it leverages contemporary technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and quality of services for all. The roadmap sets out the government's vision for an inclusive, secure and people-centred digital government by 2030 as government moves away from fragmented systems and creates seamless digital services that allow citizens to access information, apply for services, receive payments and verify their identity through trusted digital channels.
Central to this vision is the MyMzansi (https://www.mymzansi.gov.za/) platform, which aims to provide a single access point to government services and information.
While the roadmap was launched in May 2025, work has been ongoing to digitalise the public service.
Government remains committed to inclusion, ensuring rural communities and vulnerable groups continue to access services through multiple channels.
Through digital identity, trusted online platforms and digital payment systems, South Africans will increasingly be able to apply for services, receive payments, verify their identity and access government information remotely.
The digital transformation programme is expected to improve service delivery by reducing paperwork, lowering travel costs for citizens, improving access to services, strengthening security, reducing fraud and enhancing coordination across government.
Government believes digital transformation will also contribute to economic growth by reducing administrative burdens, supporting innovation and creating more opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.
In addition, the move to digitisation will not leave others behind, as government remains committed to ensuring that rural communities and vulnerable groups continue to access public services through multiple service channels as digital services expand.
Government has already introduced several digital services across departments that demonstrate the progress being made towards this vision.
With tax filing season underway allowing provisional and non-provisional taxpayers to submit their income tax returns, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) enables taxpayers to manage their tax affairs online through eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, online tax submissions, query management and tax compliance verification without the need to visit branches.
The Department of Home Affairs has expanded digital access through eHomeAffairs, allowing citizens to complete much of the Smart ID and passport application process online, including payments and appointment bookings before biometric verification.
In addition to the launch of Phase II of the TES, National Treasury in the Budget Review in February released in February said, supported by R3 million, Phase 2 of SA Connect will be completed in 2025/26.
Phase 2 of SA Connect prioritises unserved and underserved communities and government facilities.
“The project will deploy about 1 180 kilometres of fibre infrastructure to expand broadband coverage to about 5.6 million households through community Wi-Fi hotspots. In addition, upgrades to the network led by the State Information Technology Agency will extend connectivity at 6 343 government facilities,” said the Review at the time.
Earlier this month, Home Affairs said Absa had gone live with digital Smart ID applications. This as it joined other banks where South Africans can now access Smart ID services through a network of 296 participating bank branches across the country.
In addition, young people are able to connect with employment, skills development, entrepreneurial opportunities and digital skills resources through the South African Youth Platform (SAYouth).
Motorists also benefit from digital services offered through the Road Traffic Management Corporation's NaTIS platform, where vehicle licence renewals and other vehicle administration services can be completed online. -SAnews.gov.za
