by Owen Simons
The Home Affairs staff at Wynberg really delivered excellent service on both days I used the branch last week.
On Thursday, 1 September, I arrived at the offices around 11am to apply for my replacement ID as well as a temporary ID. The very helpful female security officer on duty consulted with a male staff member. It was explained to me that the staff allow an amount of 100 walk-in clients per day.
The bulk of the clients consist of appointments for the day, via the online platforms. Then there are also the other various services such as birth registrations and marriage services.
I opted to wait in the queue, without a number, with the condition that I understand that one might not be seen, based on how the day goes. Staff re-iterated this condition as a reminder a few times throughout the day.
The time came to around 3:25pm. I was one of the last four waiting on the benches just outside the front door. We were let in by 3:29pm. Yes, our patience paid off!
I was processed by 3:50pm. Due to my being badly prepared, I did not apply for my temporary ID on the Thursday. I returned the next day. The scenario was very much the same.
I saw first hand how the Home Affairs staff went to great lengths to assist as many clients as possible. Watching the buzz for that last half hour is like watching a tag team.
There is this collective urgency, where often staff talk across the floor to each other, in relation to what still needs to be done. This continued on both days till the last clients were seen to. Really phenomenal work!
During this time too, the staff had to deal with queue jumpers. Phew! I am not easily impressed.
The Wynberg Home Affairs team rocks.
* Owen Simons, Retreat.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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