Pretoria - Be Smart get your Smart ID Card, said President Jacob Zuma on Monday 8 July in Pretoria where his biometric details were captured ahead of the scheduled introduction of the Smart ID Card on Mandela Day 

As part of preparations for the launch of the Smart ID Card, biometric details, photograph and electronic signature of President Jacob Zuma were captured at the Presidential residence, Mahlambandlopfu in Pretoria on Monday by Home Affairs Deputy Director-General Sello Mmakau 

The introduction of the Smart ID Card comes within the context of government efforts to consolidate the restoration of identity, citizenship and dignity denied to the majority of South Africans by previous successive racist regimes. The launch of the Smart ID Card thus represents a decisive break with the past history of our country. 

The Smart ID Card will be launched officially on 18 July 2013 to coincide with former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday. In this regard, the first batch of Smart ID Cards will be issued on Mandela Day to eminent South Africans including Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Graca Machel, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Sophie De Bruyn, Frene Ginwala, Ahmed Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Dennis Goldberg and a group of senior citizens of the ages of 80-90 years dubbed the “Mandela Generation” 

Pursuant to this objective, biometric details of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will be captured on Tuesday 9 July at the Home Affairs Pretoria Regional offices, Byron Place corner Nina Sita and Sophie De Bruyn before visiting the Government Printing Works offices at corner Sophie De Bruyn and Visagie Streets, Pretoria.  

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Department of Home Affairs, 909 Arcadia Street, Pretoria, 0001, 8 July 2013