Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber hosted an event at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on Thursday, 1 October, as he laid out a vision for the future of the Department, saying Home Affairs is about to take a “quantum leap” forward.

Schreiber unveiled the prototype Digital ID (his own) and also confirmed that the production of the green ID book will end on 31 March 2027.

There will be a 12-month transition period for South Africans to migrate to Smart IDs. After 31 March 2028, green ID books will no longer be recognised.

Schreiber says the department is now finalising its Digital ID system, assuring the public that personal data will be secure and protected.

In his keynote address, Schreiber spoke about the progress made at Home Affairs since his appointment, including unlocking the power of technology to bring services closer to citizens.

“The quantum leap underway at Home Affairs is a catalytic moment where we are reshaping the organisation’s destiny. In the process, we are deliberately working to also reshape all of the old assumptions about how government itself works – or doesn’t work.”

In the last six months, Home Affairs has more than tripled access to Smart ID replacement services. 515 bank branches now offer biometrically-based digital services where any South African can walk in without an appointment and apply for a replacement Smart ID in just five minutes.

Schreiber says 822 500 people have already used this new service. By the end of 2026, it will be available at over 1000 service points.

The Minister also gave a firm deadline for the discontinuing of the Green ID book.

“The continued use of the Green ID Book is irreconcilable with the functioning of a modern society. Therefore, I am today announcing that the Department of Home Affairs will cease production of the Green ID Book by 31 March 2027. On this date, the machines that produce this booklet will be permanently shut down and decommissioned.”

Importantly, prior to 31 March 2027, the Department will enable the remaining cohort of naturalised citizens and permanent residents, as well as South African citizens abroad, to also obtain Smart IDs.

Then on 31 March 2028, the Green ID book will officially cease to be recognised as a valid form of identification in terms of section 25(1)(b) of the Identification Act.

But the Minister is taking the quantum leap even further, saying that the Department has made rapid progress on building South Africa’s new Digital Identity system.

The department is currently processing the public comments received on the draft Digital ID regulations, ahead of finalising the rules that will govern this system.

The use of the Digital ID system will, however, be voluntary.

“Effectively, we are moving from a situation where we currently have two versions of valid ID – in the form of the insecure Green ID book and the Smart ID card – to two new versions, in the form of the secure Smart ID card and smartphone-based Digital ID.”

Schreiber did a live demonstration of the first working prototype of the South African Digital ID.

Home Affairs is taking a quantum leap into the future! We’ve unveiled the first-ever working prototype of South African Digital ID. Watch this live demonstration of how it gives you secure digital access to your documentation, enables remote verification, and enhances privacy 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/lHLydUaRJj

— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) October 1, 2026

How South Africa’s Digital ID will work

• Smartphone-based: The Digital ID will live on your smartphone and work alongside your physical Smart ID card.
• Smart ID remains available: People who prefer a physical ID will still be able to use the Smart ID card.
• Biometric security: Your identity will be verified using biometrics, such as facial recognition, similar to unlocking a smartphone or authorising mobile payments.
• You can see data access: The system is designed to let you see when your personal data is accessed or used.
• Limits on data use: Final regulations will set rules governing what the data can be used for.
• Population register: The Digital ID credential is issued through the Home Affairs population register and linked to the chip in the user’s smartphone.
• Potentially fewer applications: Government services could eventually use information it already has to prepare renewals and other services automatically.
• Example – passport renewal: If you opt in, Home Affairs could notify you six months before your passport expires, prepare the renewal, and allow you to: review the information, verify your identity with your face, pay, and have the new passport delivered.
• No new information required: The passport example would use information Home Affairs already holds, such as the document’s expiry date.
• Digital IDs are expected to launch fully after 2030 and will be available in the MyMzansi Digital ID smartphone app.