By Sandile Nene
For millions of South Africans, the green barcoded identity book represents an important part of our history and heritage. For decades, this small paper booklet, with its laminated photograph, was the primary document used to prove who you were. This booklet, which became synonymous with our democracy, was proudly brandished by the millions who stood in line to vote during the first democratic election in 1994.
However, to many it is also a reminder of our painful history of exclusion and suffering. The apartheid government used the identity document as an instrument to enforce discriminatory apartheid laws and to control the movement of black people.
Nonetheless, this symbol of a fractured past would go on to become a beacon of the new democratic dispensation in 1994. The post-1994 government recognised that a common identity document, issued to all South Africans regardless of race, was an important part of building a non-racial and inclusive society. The document became a symbol of belonging and gave practical expression to some of the ideals contained in the Freedom Charter, adopted in 1955, particularly of equal rights and the right to vote.
In 1994, the document enabled millions of South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote in the country’s first democratic election, a right which had been denied to the majority for generations. It also became essential for accessing government services, social grants and other benefits associated with citizenship. Close to 15 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book, making it one of the most recognisable symbols of South African identity and citizenship.
However, this chapter is coming to an end as the green ID Book will be phased out by 2028 as part of government’s commitment to move away from paper-based processes towards digital and biometric platforms. People who still have the green ID Book are encouraged to replace it with the Smart ID, which offers stronger protection for both the citizen and the population register.
The transition to digitise essential documents is not merely about replacing an old document with a new one. It is part of a broader effort to modernise the digital ID system and strengthen the integrity of the National Population Register. The digital transformation initiative further addresses long-standing service challenges, including long queues and limited service points at Home Affairs offices.
The Department of Home Affairs’ partnership with major South African banks, including Capitec, Standard Bank, FNB, Absa and Nedbank, demonstrates how collaboration between government and the private sector can improve public service delivery.
By enabling citizens to apply for or replace Smart ID cards at participating bank branches, the initiative reduces administrative barriers, shortens application times and expands access to services beyond traditional Home Affairs offices. The processing of more than 574,371 Smart ID applications through participating bank branches by August 2026 illustrates the potential of digital innovation to make government services more accessible, efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The green ID book belongs to an analogue era and, like many paper-based systems, is vulnerable to tampering, theft and fraud. These weaknesses can have serious consequences in a modern society where identity is increasingly central to accessing essential services and exercising one's rights.
The Smart ID card, by contrast, uses a secure digital chip and biometric information to provide stronger protection against identity theft and fraud. It is intended to make identity verification more secure and reliable while helping the government maintain a more accurate and trustworthy population register.
Therefore, the green ID book is being replaced not because its history is being forgotten, but because South Africa is moving into a new digital era and making identity safer. The green ID book will always be part of our heritage, and its place in our history is assured.
As South Africa prepares for the upcoming elections, citizens who have applied for Smart ID cards are encouraged to collect them as soon as they are ready. Having the necessary identity document in hand helps eligible voters prepare for election day and avoids last-minute challenges. Collecting your ID is also an important step in ensuring that you can exercise your right to vote and participate in shaping the country’s democratic future.
* Nene is Acting Deputy Director-General: Content Processing and Dissemination at the Government Communication and Information System
