Digital security solutions provider Gemalto will supply Sealys eID cards to the Government Printing Works (GPW) of South Africa for its identity program.
In April 2013, Gemalto said it would supply its Sealys eCover for ePassports to Taiwan’s national printer, the Central Engraving and Printing Plant (CEPP).
Gemalto software will assist GPW to protect the holder’s image and biometric data within the secure identity e-document.
Currently, South Africa uses paper-based green book identity documentation.
Gemalto says the new Sealys eID card will be offered by the Department for Home Affairs (DHA) to citizens aged 16 and over.
Selection of Gemalto is part of the South African government’s plan to increase eGovernment services.
Gemalto currently manages 80 such national programs worldwide.
GPW will benefit as Gemalto provides a durable polycarbonate eID card designed to counter forgery.
The security solution provider says Sealy eID supports public key infrastructure (PKI) and match-on-card authentication techniques to enable easy verification of authenticity.
Anthony Mbewu, CEO of GPW, said: “Plans are already in place for the next phases of the modernization program, and we are very confident in Gemalto’s deep expertise and state-of-the-art technology in supporting our future aspirations.”
