Young David

I spent two and a half hours this afternoon at the Randburg Department of Home Affairs, simply to collect my new temporary passport. As I walked in, I noticed the glossy poster on the wall, proudly displaying the department seal, and boldly proclaiming their vision: “Providing a world class service”

I wait for 15 minutes in the queue for the collections counter, and when I arrive at the front, I noticed a handwritten note on an A4 page, which said “Sorry… Computer’s are offline”. It looked as if it had been there for a while. I was told that my passport would be ready within 10 minutes, and pointed to a metal bench against the wall, to wait.

I employed my new phone to keep me entertained, read my email, checked Facebook (several times!), started two blog posts, and played about 20 games of solitaire. Every now and then, I queried the status of my passport, and was told “please be patient, they’re still in the back, writing it”. After 2 hours, watching the stream of disgruntled and impatient applicants, I eventually popped my head back around the counter, caught the eye of the man inside, who said “Oh, you’re still here?”. 5 minutes later, I finally had my temporary passport.

I have to go back in a month’s time, after we return from New Zealand, to collect the regular, 5-year passport. (This one is only valid for one year).

While sitting on that cold bench, I was dreaming up alternate uses for the Dept..

• Stress testing political candidates. I’d love to see each candidate sent to complete various tasks before being eligible to run for office.
• An immunity challenge in the new SA survivor - last one to keep his cool wins.
• A pre-employment test of character. Someone who can keep his head in that environment will go far.

To illustrate my main point, when I originally applied for my passport, it took four independent trips to the Dept., because I needed to bring with me my ID (no brainer), 2 ID photos (acceptable), 2 photocopies of my ID (because their photocopy machines don’t work), and the exact fee in cash (because they don’t take plastic, and don’t have any change).

Without doubt this is a funding issue, and is not isolated to the Randburg branch. I’d say that the SA Department of Home Affairs has a long way to go towards its vision of providing “world class” service.

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