A 76-YEAR-OLD man from the France area got an identity book last week, for the first time since South Africa stopped using the “dom pas” system.

An excited Mfana Zulu said he was assisted by the Reach Out organisation, which helps children and the elderly in France.

Speaking to The Witness, he said: “I am overwhelmed and very grateful since I will now be able to get my old-age grant. Although I had applied for an ID in 1997, I have not had one up until now.”

He said the government owes him a lot of money, as he qualified for an old-age grant years ago, but will only start receiving it now.

Melanie du Plessis from Reach Out said she knew about Zulu’s plight as she had been helping his family for the past 10 years. She said: “It was a joyous occasion when he received his ID. He had applied and re-applied several times only to be told it was not there. If he was able to get his ID 12 years ago, there would have been an extra income. Having received his ID for the first time will transform his life.”