Exciting News for Cape Town: A New Home Affairs Office on the Horizon!

The City of Cape Town is making strides to enhance civic service accessibility by planning to establish a dedicated appointment-only Home Affairs office at the Civic Centre. This initiative aims to streamline access for residents seeking essential government services, such as smart ID and passport applications.

A Boost in Service Delivery

The proposed office, located on the second floor of the Civic Centre, will not only improve the efficiency of service delivery but also provide a convenient alternative to the existing, crowded Barrack Street office. Alderman Theresa Uys, the Cape Town MMC for corporate services, emphasized that this development reflects a significant move towards modernizing public services and making them more accessible to citizens.

Strategic Location and Accessibility

The Civic Centre's prime location, coupled with its proximity to public transport options like the MyCiTi bus service and the Station Deck minibus-taxi facility, positions this new office as a convenient hub for residents. Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, noted that the Civic Centre will significantly ease the burden on local residents, making essential services more reachable.

Big Milestones in Smart ID Card Issuance

In addition to the establishment of the new office, the Department of Home Affairs has reported unprecedented achievements in the issuance of smart ID cards. In 2025, a record-breaking 4,002,964 smart ID cards were produced, signifying a 17% increase from the previous year. This overwhelming success marks the highest level of production in the history of the Department of Home Affairs.

As the department continues its efforts to phase out the older green ID books, the commitment to secure and convenient identity documentation is evident. With the aim of replacing approximately 16 million green ID books, the progress made signals a promising future for service delivery in South Africa.

Overall, the opening of the new Home Affairs office in Cape Town, alongside the commendable achievement in smart ID card production, highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance the delivery of essential government services to residents. This collaboration between the City of Cape Town and the Department of Home Affairs is set to improve the lives of many, making vital services accessible and efficient.