Naturalised citizens in South Africa are facing a daunting task of obtaining a smart ID card that represents their citizenship rights, despite fulfilling the necessary criteria. The Department of Home Affairs’ inefficiencies are the root cause of this issue, leading to them being viewed as secondclass citizens. Even after a decade of the introduction of smart ID cards, the situation remains unchanged, and naturalised citizens continue to fight for recognition and justice.
Pierre van der Westhuyzen, a South African canoeist, has become an Australian citizen thanks to his potential as a future Olympic team member. An exceptional clause in Australia’s citizenship act allowed Pierre to become a citizen swiftly, enabling him to represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Pierre is the youngest member of the Australian men’s sprint kayaking team, and his dedication and talent have already yielded silver and bronze medals.
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of several thousand South Africans living abroad who previously lost their citizenship when applying for a second citizenship. The court has invalidated an apartheidera law, subsequently reinstating South African citizenship for those affected.
The recent ruling of South Africa’s Supreme Court has declared the loss of citizenship law unconstitutional, providing immense relief and jubilation for thousands of South Africans who had lost their citizenship when they obtained a second citizenship. ### A Testimony to the Joy and Gratitude of South Africans
