The Democratic Alliance has urged South Africans to support the transition to smart ID cards and digital services offered by Home Affairs. This shift is seen as vital for enhancing the security and strength of the South African passport, as well as simplifying visa processes.
This appeal comes in light of recent discussions in the United Kingdom regarding the government’s visa and immigration policies, which have sparked significant controversy.
UK lawmakers examined plans to extend the duration for migrants to achieve permanent residency from five years to ten.
Proponents argue that this change would help curtail migration and improve integration, while opponents contend it introduces instability for individuals who have established their lives in the UK.
Data from the UK Office for National Statistics indicates that around 230,000 to 250,000 individuals born in South Africa currently reside in the UK.
This figure encompasses South African citizens and those who have since gained British nationality.
The larger South African community in the UK, including descendants, is estimated to exceed 300,000 people.
Reports suggest that many South Africans hold professions in sectors such as healthcare, finance, engineering, education, information technology, and skilled trades.
Ryan Smith, DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, stated that the UK possesses the right as a sovereign nation to shape its own immigration policies, including imposing tighter visa requirements for South African travelers.
” The bigger problem is domestic and regional issues affecting the strength of South Africa’s passport, which only we can and must address ” Smith noted.
The DA maintains that South Africa should not dictate fairness in the UK’s migration regulations.
” These regulations are not banning travel to the UK for South Africans as a whole, merely regulating bilateral migration appropriately. It is not ideal, of course, that this may make it more difficult for South Africans to visit the UK for business, education or tourism, but again, the need for visas is rooted in the strength of South Africa’s passport which is a domestic issue for the South African government to resolve” a DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation stated.
Findings from the Henley Passport Index reveal that the South African passport has fallen in ranking from 35th in 2010 to 54th in 2024.
Currently, the passport is rated 50th globally.
The DA expressed concern over the green South African ID book, identifying it as the most fraudulently abused document on the African continent.
The party is calling on South Africans to participate in the initiative to discontinue the green ID book.
” A forged ID book lead to foreign nationals travelling illegal on fraudulently obtained South African passports ” the DA remarked.
By transitioning all citizens to smart ID cards and effectively securing South Africa’s borders, the DA believes it can alleviate the security issues many Western countries associate with the South African passport and strive for expanded visa-free travel for its holders.
The DA is committed to supporting the reforms introduced by Minister Leon Schreiber of Home Affairs to enhance citizen registration and combat fraud and corruption within the national registry.
