Windhoek: A total of 10,932 members of the San community have thus far received national documents through an ongoing outreach programme by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS).

According to Namibia Press Agency, Etienne Maritz, the Executive Director in the MHAISS, stated in a media release that the programme, which began on 23 June 2025, is being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the President. It aims to reach at least 16,000 members of the San community across 63 constituencies before its conclusion on 30 August 2025.

The programme provides services such as registration of births, registration of identity documents (IDs), applications for replacement of lost or damaged national documents, including birth and death certificates, and IDs, as well as facilitation of amendments to personal particulars on birth and ID records. Additionally, it includes the distribution of uncollected IDs, all offered free of charge. Special provisions are in place to assist individuals who lack the necessary documents, Maritz noted.

The initiative will cover the Omusati, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Kunene, and Oshikoto regions. Efforts are being made to overcome limited access to media in some areas by calling on residents near or in the targeted regions to help mobilise and inform families to attend the registration points.

Maritz also called on traditional authorities, local leaders, and civil society organisations to support the initiative, which aligns with the government's commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.