Since she took over as home affairs minister in 2009, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has done exceptionally well in turning around what was regarded as one of the most ineffective and corrupt departments in the country.
Delivery for South Africans seeking identity documents has been reduced to two weeks and there is a more modern, user-friendly interface with clients. “We are the custodians of the identity of all South African citizens. The full spectrum of identity management … encompasses the safe maintenance and archiving of biometric and demographic records of citizens and persons who have been permitted to reside in South Africa,” says Dlamini-Zuma, who served first as health minister, then as foreign minister, before joining the home affairs department.
Other notable achievements under Dlamini-Zuma’s watch include the launch of the National Population Register, aimed at ensuring that every South African over the age of 16 has an identity book and every baby born is issued with a birth certificate within 30 days of delivery. Dlamini-Zuma’s department is also credited for centralising the approval of study, work and business permit applications, reducing turnaround times.
As for asylum seekers, “we remain committed to honouring our international obligations to protect those who legitimately seek respite from persecution in line with international and domestic laws,” she says.“ We are reviewing and overhauling our asylum-seeker management processes to ensure there is adequate capacity and expertise at all levels of the process to ensure its security and efficiency.”
— Matuma Letsoalo
