Otjimbingwe: Residents of Otjimbingwe have expressed optimism about the government's new digital identity solutions following the testing of the Mobile identification (m-ID) system by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. An m-ID is a digital version of a national identity card that is stored and used on a person's mobile phone.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the testing was part of a two-day awareness and launch of the electronic national identity card (e-ID) pilot project in the area, by the ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
Speaking to the media, Gerald Shangombe, a staff member at Otjimbingwe Primary School, described the experience as life-changing and efficient. "At first, I was sceptical, but as I was taken through the process, I realised how convenient and easy it makes life. In the past, I had to travel kilometres to reach the Home Affairs office to register my son, but with the m-ID, I will not have to leave my home at all. I can request a birth certificate for my child from the comfort of my home," he explained.
Another participant, Lucrecia Tjinae, admitted that her main concern was the safety of the system. "My first thought was, how safe is this thing if it is electronic? But when I came here, I was shown how secure it is. You create your own password, and the system only gives access to the specific document you request, nothing more. That reassured me that my information is safe," Tjinae expressed.
Senior Analyst Programmer in the ministry, Levi Ileka, stated that the initiative is still in its early stages, with only the digital signature function currently operational. "We are still at an early stage and still have to make modifications and add more services. At present, documents can be sent and signed online. We also developed an offline version of the app for informal settlements, where community health workers can help mothers register births and later sync the data at clinics during their routine visits," he said.