Department of Home Affairs offices across South Africa will open this weekend to help citizens obtain identity documents ahead of voter registration.

All offices will operate on Saturday and Sunday as part of the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s Voter Registration Weekend, giving citizens the chance to apply for or collect Smart ID Cards.

Offices will be open both days from 08:00 until 17:00.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber said the extended hours would make it easier for South Africans to prepare for exercising their democratic rights.

“This weekend presents an important opportunity for South Africans to ensure that they are ready to exercise one of their most fundamental democratic rights,” Schreiber said on Friday.

More than 370 000 Smart ID Cards are currently waiting to be collected at Home Affairs offices nationwide.

The minister encouraged citizens who still need a Smart ID Card, or those who have been notified that their card is ready, to use this weekend’s extended hours.

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“An ID is not only essential for participating in our democracy, but also serves as a gateway to opportunities, services and economic participation,” he said.

The department warned citizens to avoid waiting until the last minute to obtain or collect their Smart ID Cards.

Citizens can visit their nearest Home Affairs office during the extended weekend hours. A Smart ID Card is required to register to vote in South Africa.

The initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing work to improve access to services and ensure all eligible South Africans have the identity documents needed to exercise their democratic rights.

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