I, like so many others, have been personally affected by the lackadaisical and discriminatory practices of VFS GLOBAL. As my  91-year-old father stays in South Africa and I am in the UK, I currently need a new South African passport to see him. Unfortunately, the VFS GLOBAL website, where I would typically apply for consular services, continually fails to work, even after weeks of emails and phone calls to their help desk. This problem, in conjunction with the South African High Commission refusing to respond to my desperate emails, has left me unable to obtain the passport I need in this crucial time.

This paints a bleak picture of a global institution disrespecting basic human rights and situation in their handling of passport and visa applications as well as consular services. According to VFS GLOBAL they currently work with 68 governments. My story is one among many, easily found on multiple forum searches online and it's high time that this flawed system is rectified, replaced or closed down. The need for passports and visas are often tied to significant family, work or emergency situations, and even a slight delay or inefficiency can have dire consequences.

We're asking for a fair, efficient, and respectful passport and visa application process in which the basic human rights of applicants are respected. Agencies like the VFS GLOBAL and the South African High Commission (the consulate in my case) should be adhering to transparent and responsive practices in dealing with service users. No one should ever be prevented from traveling due to inefficiency or discriminatory practices.

By signing this petition, you are contributing to a movement for change towards a fair and efficient service for all, where every person's rights are respected to the fullest. We demand that VFS GLOBAL put a halt to the disrespectful and inefficient practices and that the South African High Commission become more responsive to their service users' needs.

Make your voice heard, and let's ensure that service providers like VFS GLOBAL can no longer ignore us. Please sign this petition today.