Auleria Wakudumo 

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has successfully registered over 16 000 members of the San community through its ongoing mobile outreach programme. 

The ministry has surpassed its target ahead of the official deadline of 30 August 2025. 

A statement issued by the executive director Nghidinua Daniel says the mobile outreach programme has so far registered 16 153 San individuals from 11 selected regions as of 31 July 2025. 

The mobile registration campaign, which began on 23 June 2025, aimed to reach 16 000 by the end of August. 

The ministry described the early achievement as a major milestone in the drive to ensure marginalised communities are granted access to national documents and essential public services. 

“This is a milestone achievement for this targeted outreach programme aimed at providing national documents to people from marginalised communities and thereby enhancing access to social protection and other basic services,” Daniel stated. 

The outreach programme was launched as a targeted intervention to address long-standing challenges faced by the San community. 

This is particularly true for those in remote and hard-to-reach areas, where access to civil registration services has historically been limited. 

Through this effort, eligible individuals have received birth certificates, national identity documents, duplicate documents and other vital records necessary for full participation in socio-economic and public life. 

“The ministry commends the San community for their active participation and embracing this important initiative,” Daniel noted. 

The ministry further acknowledges the collaborative efforts of local leaders, regional and civil society stakeholders who played a crucial role in mobilising community members and facilitating access to registration points. 

Despite the early success, the ministry urges those who have not yet registered to do so before the deadline. 

Mobile teams remain active across the country and are ready to assist remaining individuals. 

Furthermore, the ministry is calling on the public, traditional leaders and local organisations to continue spreading awareness, especially in areas with limited media access, to ensure no one is left behind. 

Daniel stressed that civil registration is not only a constitutional right but a gateway to better access to education, health care and government support. 

-wakudumoauleria@gmail.com