All South African citizens are dependent on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) because of its sole mandate to secure and manage official identity and status. The DHA affirms our unique identity and our nationality; enables access to rights  and  services; and ensures that we can travel to other countries. These are  rights that are precious to any citizen of a sovereign state, and especially so in our young democracy.  Citizens of other states who want to visit or stay in South Africa are dependent on the DHA as it has the sole mandate to manage international migration. This includes, among other functions, authorising the exit and entry of all people through ports of entry.