South Africa expands access to Smart ID under Home Affairs reforms — Daily Maverick

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has modified its digital systems so that naturalised citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for a Smart ID. According to Daily Maverick, the 2025 changes, according to the department’s estimate, opened access to this option for approximately 1.4 million people.

Traditional names in documents

Home Affairs also adapted its IT system so that birth certificates, Smart IDs and passports can display traditional Khoisan names. The impetus was the case of a young South African citizen, !Khūboab Oedasoua Lawrence: his family had faced difficulties for nearly two decades because government systems did not support the symbols needed to spell his name correctly.

After the matter reached Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, the IT system was changed, the publication notes. The article links these steps to Home Affairs’ digitalisation programme, which covers online services, partnerships with banks, Smart IDs and the development of digital identification.

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Portal for confirming citizenship

Following a ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court in May 2025, which confirmed the invalidity of the automatic loss of South African citizenship under Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act, Home Affairs launched the Citizenship Reinstatement Portal. Through it, people affected by the ruling can check and confirm their status without going through the previous paper-based procedure.

Legislative changes

South Africa’s Cabinet approved a revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, while legislation is to be prepared later. Daily Maverick notes that, alongside updating digital systems, the department should change its administrative approaches to implementing citizens’ rights enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.