Stefanus Nashama
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, has taken advantage of the independence celebration in the Zambezi Region by setting up a temporary national document registration point in Katima Mulilo.
According to the Ministry’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Margaret Kalo, the registration point opened for the public on 18 March and will remain open until today.
“Centralising registration services in a prominent urban location such as Katima Mulilo town will help alleviate logistical burdens and expedite the issuance of vital documents, fostering greater efficiency and convenience for everyone involved,” Kalo said.
She added that the objective of this initiative is to facilitate the registration of individuals for essential national documents, such as identification cards (IDs), birth certificates and passport applications.
Kalo reiterated that such services are paramount to the nation, particularly during national events such as Independence Day celebrations when many people are expected to flock to Katima Mulilo town.
“The government’s commitment to streamlining administrative processes and enhancing accessibility to essential services is underscored by the establishment of a mass registration point,” she added.
Currently, the Ministry is conducting a mass registration program for national documents in all 14 regions of the country, which started in February 2024, and will end on 30th July 2024.
Last week, Kalo said 17,182 applications were received since the inception of the mass civic registration outreach program from 5 February to 12 March 2024.
This week, she revealed that the number has increased to 21,701 people who obtained national documents countrywide, with 2,351 being from the Zambezi Region.
She encouraged community members in all 14 regions of the country who do not have national documents or have lost documents to visit the nearest Home Affairs Offices or mobile registration centres to register for birth certificates and identity documents.
According to Kalo, birth certificate registration requires people to bring along proof of birth from where the child was born, parents’ national documents, valid passports (if parents are non-Namibians), marriage certificates (if parents are married), and declarations.
Proof of birth is obtainable from the hospital where the mother gave birth, or from a person who witnessed the birth in the case where the child being registered was delivered at home, she stressed.
Additionally, she informed the public that those applying for birth certificates for the first time, would not pay while those applying for duplicate birth certificates, would be charged a fee of N$100.
This, she said, increases to N$100 for every duplicate issued.
At the same time, Kalo indicated that those registering for ID are required to be Namibian citizens or permanent resident holders, be 16 years and above, and must have an original Namibian birth certificate and certified copy of the birth certificate or certified copies of citizenship and permanent resident permit certificates.
She added that officials at the mobile registration centres would take fingerprints and images for ID registrations.
Those applying for IDs for the first time will not pay while for duplicate IDs, people will have to pay N$150, which increases by the same amount for every duplicate ID issued, Kalo stated.
“The national documents are very important and provide a sense of belonging as well as establish a person’s legal identity.
Additionally, Kalo emphasised that obtaining national documents provides statistical data that inform policy and planning at national and international levels.
