********* From: Bretton Vine <brettonat_private> To: declanat_private Subject: national ID cards Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 09:20:55 +0200 Declan Here in South Africa we are issued with an identity number at birth made up of date of birth, a number allocation for male or female, a number for race and another number for nationality. For example, a white male born born on 1 October 1999 would have a number such as: 991001 5000 08 2 The second number (4 digit) is for sex: 0001 - 4999 for females 5000 - 9999 for males The third number (two digit) is for race The last number for nationality, At age 16 an ID book is issued. This ID book has a picture, a page for record of voting, a page for endorsements, Drivers license page, Driver's license endorsements, and space for 6 firearm licenses. In order to get your ID book you must have your fingerprints recorded. Recently drivers licenses were made available in credit card format as well, but these are not accepted as proof of identity. ID Books must be presented in so many activities. * Opening a bank account, or a credit facility: present your ID book which is then photocopied and the copy stored with your application. * Hiring a movie for the first time at a video rental? Often you must leave your ID book with the shop. (Aimed at preventing theft apparently) * Stopped at a traffic roadblock? You must present your ID book and drivers license. * Buying a plane ticket? In some places you must present your ID book as well. * Going to a doctor for the first time, or to a hospital - present your ID book. Copies of your ID book exist all over the place. Even if you close a credit account or store account, they still keep the copy and application. And yet we have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world :-/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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