Home Affairs extends office hours to help learners get IDs
From 7 to 21 July, Home Affairs offices will close at 18:00 instead of the usual 16:00. The department says the additional two hours each weekday will benefit those who cannot visit during regular office hours.
'The department is extending operating hours to assist learners who wish to apply for and collect their IDs during the school holidays,' said the department in a statement.
Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, called on South Africans to use this opportunity.
'I would like to encourage all clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience,' he said.
The department has introduced dedicated collection counters at larger branches that process Smart ID Cards and passports to ease congestion. These counters are available where office space allows.
The aim is to reduce waiting times and ensure clients, especially learners preparing for exams or job applications, receive their documents with minimal delay.
Clients can book an appointment for application or collection through the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), which is available on the department's website.
However, Home Affairs has also made provisions for those unable to schedule appointments.
'The department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins,' it stated.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
17 hours ago
- The South African
Cold weather, warm vibes: 6 beach towns that surprise in SA winter
Summer doesn't own South Africa's coast. In fact, winter is when some towns reveal their true character: quieter, moodier, and deeply rewarding. While beach umbrellas are folded away and the water chills, the landscapes get dramatic, the food tastes better by a fire, and the air carries a clean stillness that clears your head. Here are 6 stunning beach towns that show their best side when the temperature drops… A quiet coastal hamlet wedged between Mossel Bay and George, Tergniet is best known for its calm, rock pools, and a front-row seat to passing whales. Winter keeps the air crisp and the crowds away, perfect for beachcombing and storm watching. Glentana Beach, Garden Route. Image: canva A hidden gem between Mossel Bay and George, Glentana offers wide open beaches, quiet cliff trails, and the occasional seal or dolphin. Winter gives it a soft, quiet feel, like the world took a breath. Just down the road from Jeffreys Bay but worlds apart in pace, Paradise Beach is for those who want long, empty stretches of sand and zero interruptions. Think dolphins, driftwood, and quiet evenings, the perfect digital detox. Shipwreck in Hondeklip Bay, Northern Cape. Image: wikimedia commons On the fringe of the country and the edge of the world, Hondeklip Bay is desolate in the best way. Shipwrecks, windswept plains, ancient caves, and big, clear skies. It's for those who like solitude with their sea air. Small, isolated, and full of wind-swept beauty. Cannon Rocks is known for kiteboarding in summer, but winter brings a stark, cinematic stillness. The kind of beach town where you bring a book, a blanket, and a camera. Kommetjie, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons A surfer's haven with a strong artistic community, Kommetjie feels raw and elemental in winter. Think kelp forests, big waves, misty walks to the Slangkop Lighthouse, and café conversations wrapped in wool. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
20 hours ago
- The South African
Home Affairs has great news for South Africans living in Australia
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has launched two new dedicated service centres in Sydney and Melbourne to assist South Africans living in Australia with Smart ID and passport applications. The move is part of the department's Home Affairs @ Home initiative, designed to reduce turnaround times for critical identity documents from over a year to just five weeks . Speaking about the expansion, Minister Leon Schreiber said the launch follows a successful trial in the United Kingdom and is aimed at eliminating long delays that have left many overseas South Africans frustrated. Sydney : 16 July 2025 at 10:00 (AEST) 📍 Level 6, 88 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 : 📍 Level 6, 88 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Melbourne: 18 July 2025 at 13:00 (AEST) 📍 Level 5, 332 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia is home to over 210 000 South African expats, making it the second-largest community outside of South Africa, after the United Kingdom. The department also confirmed further rollouts in New Zealand and the UAE, followed by France, Germany, and the Netherlands later in 2025, and North America in 2026. This is part of the department's broader push to phase out the green barcoded ID book and transition all citizens to the more secure Smart ID card by 2029. The expansion also aligns with Home Affairs' plan to enable Smart ID and passport services at over 100 bank branches by year-end – with a goal of reaching 1 000 branches by 2028. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
21 hours ago
- The South African
Cape Town crowned 7-time champion in Telegraph Travel Awards
Cape Town has once again claimed the title of the world's best city, for the seventh time, according to the prestigious Telegraph Travel Awards. As reported by BusinessTech , over 20 000 readers of the British publication cast their votes, placing Cape Town ahead of global travel heavyweights like Seville, Sydney, and Tokyo. The Telegraph runs the awards biennially, and Cape Town has now taken the top spot in seven of the last eleven cycles. So what keeps this South African city at the top of travellers' wish lists? According to the Telegraph , it's consistency and a kind of natural beauty that's hard to rival. From the iconic Table Mountain to the sweeping beaches of Camps Bay and the dramatic cliffs of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town offers visuals that stick with you. But the appeal isn't just skin-deep. The Telegraph also praised the nearby winelands, specifically Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, for their world-class vintages and scenic charm. The City of Cape Town's MMC for Economic Growth, James Vos, credits smart strategy and hard work behind the scenes. 'This kind of recognition doesn't just happen. It's the result of serious graft, smart thinking, and a whole lot of local passion.' Vos said as per BusinessTech . Here's where the top 10 best cities ranked according to the Telegraph Travel Awards: Rank City Country 1 Cape Town South Africa 2 Seville Spain 3 Sydney Australia 4 Tokyo Japan 5 Kyoto Japan 6 Copenhagen Denmark 7 Vancouver Canada 8 Venice Italy 9 Porto Portugal 10 Singapore Singapore Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
