LIMPOPO – Residents of Homu 14C village outside Giyani say the lack of South African identity documents and birth certificates has left their children unable to access government social grants, depriving families of financial support and opportunities available to those with the required documentation.

The residents, most of whom are of Mozambican origin, raised their concerns during the Greater Giyani mayoral imbizo held at Homu 14C on Thursday, where they appealed to the municipality to intervene in what they described as difficulties in obtaining identity documents and birth certificates for their children.

The issue drew loud applause from residents when Ward 12 representative Mathew Ndove, speaking on their behalf, highlighted the difficulties they faced because their children lacked documentation.

Our kids do not have certificates.

“On top of that, those of us who have South African IDs are not allowed to take or do passports,” Ndove said.

Growing up without papers

He said children without birth certificates could not access government grants, leaving families struggling to meet their needs. The lack of documentation could also create further difficulties as children grow older and need official documents to access services and opportunities.

Ndove said residents had experienced difficulties with the Department of Home Affairs, which he accused of refusing to allow their children to obtain identity documents or new birth certificates.

The residents called on the government to intervene and help them find a solution to the problem.

Municipality’s response

Acting Mayor Christina Zitha acknowledged the concerns, saying the municipality would try to establish whether there was a way to help the children obtain permission to apply for South African identity documents.

“We have heard your grievances, and we will try to address them and establish whether there is a way to help your children obtain permission to apply for South African identity documents,” she said.

Zitha said the government could not be satisfied when people lacked identity documents that prevented them from participating fully in society.

“As a government, we cannot be happy when some people do not have IDs because we understand what it means to you as individuals to be unable to do things that people who hold South African identity documents can do, including exercising your right to vote,” she said.

Wider service gaps

Ndove also raised several other pressing needs affecting Homu 14C, including water shortages, a lack of electricity in about 200 households in the extension area, and the need for RDP houses.

Responding to the grievances, Zitha said the municipality would attend to issues that could be resolved quickly while working towards addressing the other concerns.