Introduction

While many young adults in post-apartheid South Africa do manage to get identity documents (IDs) at an early age, there is a startling number of young adults who are without an ID and are finding it very difficult to get an identity document in South Africa for a myriad of reasons and factors. These individuals always find it very difficult to get employed. Consequently, they become more susceptible to being victimized by poverty in society as compared to those who have IDs. 

How does not having an ID contribute to youth unemployment & poverty?

Without an ID, many young adults are stripped of varying opportunities to earn an income, and they, unfortunately, fall prey to circumstances such as exploitation, committing crime, and other forms of economic exclusion, unemployment, and poverty. To some extent, it also drives many young individuals into hopelessness and also worsens the social ills among them and those closest to them. Since an ID is a prerequisite for applying for jobs in South Africa, those who don’t have it find themselves in a situation where they are deemed unemployable. 

Why Some Young Adults Do Not Have Identity Documents? 

The failure of parents to apply for birth certificates when their children are born is among the leading reasons why some young adults do not have IDs. Due to historical realities, like the apartheid regime and its spatial laws, the nature of roaming and absent fathers following the pregnancy of their intimate partners after the baby has been born was a norm. It is an unfortunate reality that persists today. Another persisting reason is the unfortunate rate of early school dropout among young learners. Poverty, lack of adequate infrastructure, and persisting social ills generate an environment that is not motivating for children. Schools have taken the initiative to help school kids aged 16 and up register for an ID. While there is some success, those who do not have birth certificates or proof of birth are still excluded here.

Unavailability of a Father in a Child’s Upbringing as a Factor

The absence of a father, in the birth, or upbringing of a child, or the unavailability of the father’s ID to apply for a child’s birth certificate, makes it difficult for individuals to get IDs. Unlike a child who has a birth certificate, children without a birth certificate find it difficult to apply for an ID. The loss of a father in a child’s life can lead to difficulties in getting a job and finding a sense of self-identity. Parents must make sure that they apply for a child’s birth certificate regardless of how their relationship has ended before and after the child’s birth. This will make sure that a child’s life does not become complicated and challenging as they try to change and improve their own lives.

Conclusion

Not having an ID is an obstacle to the development of many individuals. While there have been campaigns with noticeable success, like involving Home Affairs officials in the birth of children in hospitals to make the process of obtaining birth certificates easier for single mothers and disadvantaged parents alike, there is still much work that needs to be done.

Co author: Mmantshu Selwadi