Naledi Pandor, Department of Home Affairs

Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor announced Altech Card Solutions and Gemalto Southern Africa as the successful bidders to produce material and software for the production of smart ID cards.

Pandor said the Government Printing Works (GPW) will work with the companies to produce the smart ID cards, which are set to be issued from July.

“In the past few years, the GPW has proven to be a secure, reliable and technology-wise partner,” said Pandor. “Through a rigorous international tender process, GPW identified these two world-class suppliers, each with extensive experience in their field.”

Altech Card Solutions, a South African company, will supply the GPW with card personalisation machines and an automated mailing solution manufactured by Datacard of the US. Gemalto Southern Africa, a subsidiary of Gemalto SA, will supply GPW with blank, pre-printed polycarbonate cards containing a contactless microchip.

During Pandor’s budget vote speech earlier this month, she announced the long-awaited smart ID cards will be issued from July, and roll-out is expected to be completed over the next seven to eight years. She said once the process of issuing smart ID cards is under way, the department could print approximately three million ID cards a year.

The issuing of the smart cards will begin from 27 Home Affairs regional offices that have been provided with the capacity for live capture.