JC Erasmus, Riebeeckstad:
I think most South Africans are filled with dread at the thought of renewing or obtaining the necessary documents like drivers licences, passports or ID cards.
It is a well known fact that the most of the time the various state departments are not “user friendly” and services to the public are not very adequate.
My passport expired last year and the task to renew it lay like a mountain on my shoulders.
On Thursday last week I decided to go to Home Affairs and I was greeted by a long queue of people outside the building.
What a pleasant surprise awaited me. When I went inside to enquiries, they immediately sent me to the department where your photo and fingerprints are done.
We were ten people in that queue and the woman who did this, was friendly, fast and professional.
She sent me to the department where my profile was already on the computer (with all the new details) and the gentleman there printed the statement of payment and sends me to the counter where I paid for the application.
This took me 45 minutes and while I was still in the building, I received a WhatsApp confirming my application and with a reference number.
The building inside was clean, the process orderly and the staff friendly and helpful.
Thank you.
