The roll-out of e-government services in South Africa is proving to be a challenge as the online application system for schools in Gauteng province has been delayed in order for technicians to perform an "update".

The second phase of the online application system, which the government announced earlier this month as convenient, easily accessible and accurate, failed to launch on time this morning.

Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Education, Gauteng Province has taken to social media to reassure parents and learners applying for admission in primary and secondary schools that the system would soon be up and running.

"Dear Parents/Guardians, my team finished on time at 8am. We were ready but I felt as a leader I must be 100% sure before I press that button. I took a conscious decision to delay by 2 hrs to allow the technicians to convince all is well. I would rather delay than face a crisis."

Five hours after the scheduled launch, Lesufi was still sending reassurances including a denial that the system had crashed as well as confirmation that the system would be modified in order to accommodate visually impaired parents.

The online application system is only available for those applying for the first time to Grade 1 and 8 as well as those relocating from other areas for the 2017 learner intake. Grade R and Special School learners need to apply at schools, along with those who want to be enrolled in other grades excluding grade 1 and 8.

No technical glitches

The country's Department of Home Affairs has reaffirmed that its recently launched e-channel was working well after concerns were raised when the site appeared to be offline.

Spokesperson for the Department, Mayihlome Tshwete says they are pleased with progress of e-Home Affairs. "We did an update last week and we processed four thousand people, so it is coming alright. We are getting very good feedback and people are saying it is a lot more convenient, easier and saves a lot of time. What we are speaking about now is expanding the number of sites across the country."

Tshwete says the inability for some people to access the website on the day it was launched does not count as a technical glitch.

"There wasn't a glitch. At a particular time when six hundred people press enter, only six hundred people will go through and if you are not part of the six hundred you will be redirected and have to try again. It is like if someone calls your phone and you are talking to someone else and they can't get a hold of you because it is engaged, you don't say the phone is not working."

Tshwete also reiterated the Home Affairs is a secure site and no information will be shared with anyone outside the department. The service is currently only available for South African citizens aged between 30 and 35 and not for permanent residents and those who obtained their citizenship through naturalisation.