South Africa makes another attempt to implement smart cards
22 July, 2011
category: Government
The South African Department of Home Affairs plans to once more try to implement a smart card-based ID program, reports defenceWeb.
Its original smart ID pilot, planned for 2008, was postponed and the entire program scrapped last year because, according to Home affairs minister Nkosazana DIamini-Zuma, the department used the project’s allotted funds elsewhere.
However, DIamini-Zuma says the postponement is actually a blessing in disguise, as it gave the government time to implement its Who Am I Online infrastructure, which the smart ID will use.
The smart ID will contain microchips that will enable citizens to access secure state pension payout. It intends to replace the South African green ID books.
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