Citizenship 101: When is a South African, not a South African? (by immigration lawyer)

Immigration lawyer Craig Smith joins Clement Manyathela.

Listen below.

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The current row surrounding the heritage of Miss South Africa 2024 hopeful Chidimma Vannessa Adetshina has thrust the issue of South African citizenship into the spotlight.

The 23-year-old's background has sparked debate due to her mother holding dual Mozambican and South African citizenship and her father being Nigerian-born.

On Wednesday evening there was a further development in the saga which saw a release from the Department of Home Affairs.

It revealed that an investigation found prima facie evidence of fraud and identity theft by the person recorded in official documents as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.

Adetshina herself was born at Soweto's Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, but being born in South Africa does not automatically confer citizenship status.

Immigration lawyer Craig Smith answers some frequently asked questions regarding South African citizenship.

"There are three ways to become a South African citizen and this is regulated by law, called The South African Citizenship Act 1995."

- Craig Smith, Immigration lawyer

"You can aquire citizenship by birth... you are born to a South African citizen parent."

- Craig Smith, Immigration lawyer

"The second way is by descent. If you were born abroad and one of your parents is a South African citizen then you would acquire citizenship by descent."

- Craig Smith, Immigration lawyer

"The last one is citizenship through naturalisation where you are a permanent resident holder of South Africa and you hold the permanent residence for five years and then you can apply for naturalisation."

- Craig Smith, Immigration lawyer

ALSO READ: Miss SA finalist faces scrutiny over heritage: 'Why are we so Afrophobic?' – Clement Manyathela

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.