Provision of IDs brings hope to undocumented matrics

WHITE RIVER – The exercise was facilitated by the deputy minister of home affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, and the deputy minister of basic education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, at the home affairs offices in Mbombela, White River and Hazyview.

This was part of the Youth Day activities in the province. Nzuza said the programme followed the government’s decision to reopen schools for grade seven and 12 learners.

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The Department of Home Affairs took a decision to gradually phase in the application of IDs for matric learners, in line with the Covid-19 coronavirus regulations pertaining to services offered to the public.

Nzuza said the programme was aimed at helping the more than one million undocumented matrics in the country.
“We opened our offices specially to help learners register for their IDs. The process will also continue across all home affairs offices and at mobile units at schools all over the country, to ensure that young people are
able to register and apply for their IDs,” he said.

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Nzuza urged traditional leaders to help learners in rural schools with the documents needed for applications.

He added that owning an identity document was crucial to laying a good foundation for the youth of the country.

Pearl Nyundu of Khutsalani Secondary School said, “I am so grateful for what the government has done for us. For the first time in my life I will be in possession of my own ID, which means I am ready to make important decisions about my life”.

Nkosi Sihle of Rob Ferreira High School in White River, said, “I am really excited that I can finally get my ID. I have been looking forward to it since I turned 16 in March”.

Nomsa Bulunga, a parent, said, “I am so happy that my child, who is now 21, will finally get her own ID. I could not apply for her ID before because I did not have money to do so. At last she will have one to easily pursue her dreams and apply for bursaries while it is still early. This shows that our government cares about the future of the
country”.

Past Negross Manana said, “We are so thankful to witness our children queuing up in this chilly weather. Young people have to emerge and understand they have a future ahead of them.

“June 16 should remind them that they will not remain young. We encourage them to have a dream and passion for their lives and the future”