Home Affairs exceeds target in mass registration campaign

WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has issued birth certificates and identity documents (IDs) to 50 833 Namibians through its ongoing mass registration campaign, exceeding its target of 50 000 people. Executive Director (ED) Etienne Maritz in a media statement on Monday said this marks a significant milestone in the ministry's efforts to ensure comprehensive birth registration and identification. The mass registration campaign commenced on 05 February 2024 in all 14 regions of the country. Maritz said the initiative is focused on the registration and issuance of birth certificates and IDs to those who meet the requirements in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia and the Births, Marriages, and Deaths Act of 1963. The mass registration campaign also included the issuance of duplicate birth certificates and duplicate identity documents. The ED said 7 332 applicants were registered as stateless and undocumented persons. This is the cat egory of persons who, at the time of registration, could not provide any documentary proof indicating that they are citizens of any country. 'Reaching this milestone underscores the ministry's commitment to ensuring comprehensive birth registration coverage in our country, thereby enabling deserving Namibians to access services such as education, healthcare, social grants and participate in other social and economic activities,' Maritz remarked. He further commended the efforts of various staff members who have worked tirelessly to ensure the ministry records this milestone. The mass registration campaign will continue until 30 July 2024 and Maritz advised citizens who do not have national documents or who have lost their documents, to visit their nearest Home Affairs office or mobile registration centre. Source: The Namibia Press Agency