The Department of Home Affairs has announced that it will open its offices on Saturdays from 21 September to 12 October 2024 to assist matriculants with temporary identity certificates, ID collections, and applications.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, stated that offices will be operational from 8am to 1pm during this period, with priority given to Grade 12 learners, as they prepare for the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, set to take place from 21 October to 27 November 2024.

“This initiative is aimed at ensuring that matriculants have the necessary identification to sit for their exams, which is a crucial step towards the economic empowerment of young people,” Schreiber said. He urged matriculants and their parents to visit their nearest Home Affairs office if they are awaiting their IDs.

Schreiber also encouraged all citizens who have received SMS notifications regarding their ID applications to use this extended service period to collect their documents.

In support of the initiative, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza is expected to visit the Orlando Home Affairs office in Soweto on Saturday to oversee the drive.