VRYHEID KZN: Learners happy as the issuing of identity documents to schools resumes
“If schools come here, there’s only Grade 11 and 12, since we are still under the Covid-19 rules. We cannot take the whole school like before and we don’t want our offices to be a 'super spreader' of Covid-19.
In South Africa, you need to get an ID (Identity Document) as soon as you are eligible (from 16 years of age), as it proves you are who you say you are. There are many places and situations that require you to use or show your identity document.
The programme of issuing Identity Documents to learners at schools was put on hold due to Covid-19 regulations, but now the programme is up and running again. Phumlani Mnchunu, who is the secretary of Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) in Abaqulusi and also an employee at the Department of Home Affairs in Vryheid, mentioned that this will be an ongoing programme for the whole year. “We are very happy to resume the programme in alert level 1 of the lockdown. It started on May 10 with uMuziwephahla High School, followed by Filidi Secondary School. There was Mvuzini Secondary School on Thursday, followed by Hoerskool Pioner on Friday.”
He said they are now mainly focusing on the months of May and June. “As we all know, there are a lot of holidays and we cannot proceed with the programme when the schools are on break. We can also not proceed during the exams, as we don’t want to interrupt teaching and learning at schools.” Mchunu also mentioned that they prioritize the Grade 12 learners, since their ID is access to everything – they will be able to receive their matric certificates without any challenges and further their tertiary studies next year.
“If schools come here, there’s only Grade 11 and 12, since we are still under the Covid-19 rules. We cannot take the whole school like before and we don’t want our offices to be a ‘super spreader’ of Covid-19. We are happy to work with the NGO called MIET Africa because they provide free transport for learners to come to Home Affairs. Some of the learners come from disadvantaged communities, so MIET Africa helps us, together with the Department of Education, to bring the learners to our offices. Identity Documents for first-timers are free of charge”. Another sector they work with through Operation Sukuma Sakhe is a learner support agency from the Department of Education, as they are the ones who deal with the social issues of learners. “We are grateful to both MIET Africa and the learner support agency for working with us; they make our work effective and efficient.”
Rayvonne Viljoen (17), doing Grade 11, said she is so excited to finally get her ID. “It was taking so long to do it because of Covid-19, but I am so happy today. Everything is professional and they follow the Covid-19 regulations. I am very grateful to the Department of Home Affairs,” she said.
“I am happy about this day; everything is fast and I am glad that Home Affairs is assisting us,” said Levi Boulle, doing Grade 12.
Hoërskool Pionier principal Mr Muller said, “We are still in the process of registering the learners for their IDs. It is so important for the matric learners to have them, because soon they will be starting with their NCS exams. The Department of Home Affairs is well organised and the process was sufficient.”
MIET Africa commented that they have a good working relationship with Home Affairs. Last year they transported 438 learners and since the programme has started again, they have transported 13 learners from eMvuzini Secondary. On Tuesday they will transport 30 learners from uMfolozi High School.
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