If you are a South African and you wish to travel to another country, you need to have a valid South African passport. There are several types of passports available. All types of passports require a completed BI-73 application form and must be handed in personally at a Home Affairs domestic office or a South African Embassy or Mission, if abroad.

When applying for a passport the applicant must be able to prove to the Home Affairs official that they are who they claim to be. To this end their photographs will be checked to ensure that they are a true image of the applicant, and their fingerprints (if applicants are 16 years or older) will be taken for checking against the Population Register.

The BI-73 form will inform you of exactly how much you need to pay and any other instructions that may be applicable to the passport you wish to apply for. Once you have a passport do not forget to check with the country you wish to visit about the visa requirements.

Sources:
irements,Home Affairs (types of passports)
Home Affairs (BI-73)