South Africa’s Government Printing Works (GPW) produced more than one million smart ID cards during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, as the Department of Home Affairs steps up efforts to replace the country’s green identity books.

The Home Affairs-managed GPW produced 1,026,748 smart ID cards between 1 April and 30 June 2026. This puts it on track to produce more than 4.1 million cards by the end of the financial year.

If production continues at the same pace, the GPW will slightly exceed the 4.1 million smart ID cards produced in 2025/26 and surpass the 3.6 million produced in 2024/25.

The figures were presented to Parliament on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, as part of the GPW’s first-quarter performance and expenditure report.

According to the GPW, 99.9% of the cards produced during the quarter met client specifications.

In a separate presentation, Home Affairs said it issued about 275,200 smart ID cards to citizens and permanent residents applying for their first identity documents, including those turning 16. This exceeded the department’s quarterly target of 208,000 and places it on course to surpass its annual target of 800,000 first-time applications.

The department also issued 673,867 replacement or reissued smart ID cards to citizens and permanent residents. This was above its quarterly target of 572,000 and puts it on track to exceed its annual target of 2.2 million cards in this category.

Green ID books face replacement

Home Affairs must replace approximately 16 million green ID books before the older documents can be invalidated.

At the GPW’s current production rate, replacing all the remaining green ID books would take about four years. However, Home Affairs deputy director-general for operations Thulani Mavuso warned that the green ID book could become invalid within the next two years.

Mavuso said the timelines had not yet been finalised, but confirmed that the process of phasing out the green ID book had already begun. He said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber would announce the timelines when appropriate.

He urged citizens and permanent residents who still have green ID books to apply for smart ID cards and collect them once they are ready.

“The message is that they have to collect those documents, because in the coming two years, they will not be able to use their green ID book,” Mavuso said.

“If you are carrying that green ID book, it does not serve any purpose. It is better to replace it and have the smart ID card now, which is secure, so that you can continue with your life.”

Mavuso warned that people without smart ID cards could face increasing difficulties accessing essential services and completing identity-verification processes.

“It will be difficult when a green ID book is no longer regarded as a legal document that can be submitted for identity verification,” he said.

Asked whether the urgency was linked to the upcoming elections, Mavuso said obtaining a smart ID card would remain important beyond November 2026.

“It’s going to be the only legal document that you can use in terms of transactions, particularly with financial institutions and others,” he said.