Government is in the process of developing the new National Identity System (NIS), which will replace the current National Population Register and become the backbone of all Home Affairs functions in South Africa.
The system, which is expected to be operational by March 2024, will enable the security and reliability of civic and immigration status linked to identity and biometric data. In this way, the NIS will effectively act as a single source of information on all South Africans.
This will enable economic transformation, efficient service delivery and enhance the security of citizens and all known foreign nationals in South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs said.