Zimbabwe has inaugurated a new consulate building in Johannesburg, highlighting its commitment to improving consular services for its citizens residing in South Africa. The new consulate, situated in Bruma, will now offer an array of essential services, including the issuance of passports, e-passports, and birth certificates.
At a ceremony held on Thursday, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Makamure Shava, underscored the importance of the new consulate and its services. The launch marks a notable step in the deployment of Zimbabwe’s e-passport delivery platform, which commenced on June 18, 2024, and was piloted successfully in South Africa.
“The e-passport processing centre housed in this building allows Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa to apply for and obtain these crucial documents with greater convenience and speed—eliminating the need for intermediaries,” Shava declared during his keynote address. He reported that the trial run of the e-passport system had processed 2,146 applications, reflecting a successful implementation of the new technology.
The e-passport, an electronic travel document embedded with a biometric microchip, offers enhanced security features and resistance to fraud compared to traditional passports. This modernisation effort is part of Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to modernise its administrative processes and improve service delivery for its diaspora.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, who was also present, emphasised the government’s policy mandating that all citizens abroad should possess the requisite documentation, including birth certificates and passports. He invited Zimbabweans residing in South Africa to utilise the consular services in Johannesburg and assured that similar facilities are being established at the Zimbabwe Consulate in Cape Town, currently undergoing renovations.
The event also saw remarks from Zimbabwe’s Minister of Local Government and Public Works, David Garwe, who highlighted the significance of the consulate’s opening. “The handover of this building brings vital services closer to our diaspora and embodies our government’s commitment to inclusivity and progress as we strive towards becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” Garwe stated.
Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, added that the establishment of the e-passport centre in Johannesburg represents a pioneering effort within Zimbabwe’s diplomatic missions worldwide. He noted that this initiative aligns with the government’s Vision 2030 and the objective of leveraging ICT for economic modernisation. “This flagship initiative is a fulfilment of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive to extend our services to Zimbabweans abroad, ensuring no one is left behind,” Kazembe said.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, through Deputy Director General Tebogo Seokolo, welcomed the opening of the new consulate. He commended the initiative as a step towards enhancing regional integration and facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Lamola noted the importance of this development coinciding with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy and the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The inauguration of the new consulate and the launch of the e-passport processing centre represent a significant enhancement in diplomatic relations and consular services between Zimbabwe and South Africa, reflecting both nations’ commitment to strengthening their bilateral ties and facilitating the needs of their respective diasporas.
