Government Printing Works posts higher production and assets of R3.95bn

The Government Printing Works (GPW) reported increased production and a stronger balance sheet in its 2025/2026 annual figures presented to Parliament.

Production volumes and outputs

The GPW printed 30.8 million high security certificates and 4 million identity document cards during the 2025/2026 financial year, the organisation told the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.

Financial position

GPW management said total assets rose from R3.78 billion to R3.95 billion during the year. Inventories increased from R345 million to R585 million, and trade and other receivables grew from R507 million to R572 million.

The GPW’s chief financial officer, Ian van der Merwe, said management is focusing on strengthening debt collection, improving timely invoicing, reconciling customer accounts and allocating receipts.

Operational milestones and digitalisation

Chief executive Alinah Fosi outlined several operational milestones in the briefing. Administrative and operations staff moved into the new GPW headquarters on Sophie de Bruyn Street on October 20, 2025, relocating from the old Bosman Street office.

Fosi said the GPW is procuring a new commercial printing facility and is phasing in a digitalised contact centre with features such as self-service portals and natural voice telephone services. An ICT strategy and plan aims to digitalise and automate operations to improve efficiency.

She also said a multiparty memorandum of understanding between the Department of Home Affairs, GPW, SARS and the Border Management Agency is being used for critical interventions at GPW.

Recommendations, equipment and next steps

The GPW reported it received 166 recommendations from a Ministerial Review Panel and has completed 152 of them. Fosi said management would continue work on the remaining items.

“Management will continue to implement the remaining milestones, as some have dependencies on the implementation of international organisation for standardisation standards, while others depend on the outcome of investigations,”

Fosi said a sheet-fed machine to improve commercial printed materials is planned for commissioning in the 2026/2027 financial year.

Audit and performance

The GPW reported there were no material findings in the annual performance report and that qualifications related to property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, trade and other receivables, and revenue had been lifted.