Cape Town: A new state-of-the-art Home Affairs office, located in Tygervalley Shopping Centre in Bellville, Cape Town, served its first clients this morning in the presence of Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber. The Minister officially opened the office earlier in the day.
According to South African Government News Agency, the new office features upgraded technology that integrates a camera at the counter, eliminating the need to queue for photos. It also only accepts prior bookings, ensuring that there are no queues. The Minister emphasized their vision to deliver ‘Home Affairs @home’, focusing on bringing services closer to people, including through their presence in malls. The process aims to extend Home Affairs services to more bank branches and online platforms.
The people of Bellville and surrounding areas will benefit from the commitment to deliver dignity for all, as stated by the Minister. The initiative reflects the government’s dedication to making progress in service delivery. On Saturday, a similar office was opened in Mitchells Plain, highlighting the ongoing expansion effort.
The new Mitchells Plain office is modern and spacious, with increased seating capacity from 50 to 250. It also includes upgraded technology like cameras installed directly at each counter to streamline the process. Minister Schreiber noted the improved facilities and technology as transformative for the daily interactions of the residents with Home Affairs services.
During the opening, Minister Schreiber was accompanied by Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, and Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, showcasing the collaborative efforts to enhance service access.