CPD1501 ASSIGNMENT 2 MEMO 2026
DUE 15 APRIL 2026
QUESTION 1: THE THREE FORMS OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP IN SOUTH
AFRICA (20 marks)
The South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 provides for three methods of acquiring
citizenship: citizenship by birth, citizenship by descent, and citizenship by naturalisation
(Study Guide, Unit 1, p. 11).
, 1. Citizenship by Birth
A person qualifies for citizenship by birth if he or she was a South African citizen by birth
immediately prior to 1 January 2013. Also, a person qualifies if born in or outside the
Republic and one of his or her parents is a South African citizen at the time of birth. A
person born in the Republic qualifies even if one parent is not a citizen, provided that he
or she has no other nationality and his or her birth is registered, or if his or her parents
have permanent residence and he or she has lived in the Republic from birth to age 18
(Study Guide, Unit 1, p. 12).
2. Citizenship by Descent
This involves acquiring citizenship through ancestry. A person qualifies if he or she was
a South African citizen by descent immediately prior to 1 January 2013, or if legally
adopted by a South African citizen and the birth is registered under the Births and
Deaths Registration Act (Study Guide, Unit 1, p. 13).
3. Citizenship by Naturalisation
A foreigner may acquire citizenship by naturalisation in four ways: if he or she was a
citizen by naturalisation before 1 January 2013; if from a country allowing dual
citizenship (otherwise renunciation is required); a major child of non-citizen parents who
has lived in the Republic from birth to majority; or if granted a certificate of naturalisation
on or after 1 January 2013. Requirements include five years’ ordinary residence, good
character, ability to communicate in an official language, and a declaration of allegiance
(Study Guide, Unit 1, pp. 15–17).
DUE 15 APRIL 2026
QUESTION 1: THE THREE FORMS OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP IN SOUTH
AFRICA (20 marks)
The South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 provides for three methods of acquiring
citizenship: citizenship by birth, citizenship by descent, and citizenship by naturalisation
(Study Guide, Unit 1, p. 11).
, 1. Citizenship by Birth
A person qualifies for citizenship by birth if he or she was a South African citizen by birth
immediately prior to 1 January 2013. Also, a person qualifies if born in or outside the
Republic and one of his or her parents is a South African citizen at the time of birth. A
person born in the Republic qualifies even if one parent is not a citizen, provided that he
or she has no other nationality and his or her birth is registered, or if his or her parents
have permanent residence and he or she has lived in the Republic from birth to age 18
(Study Guide, Unit 1, p. 12).
2. Citizenship by Descent
This involves acquiring citizenship through ancestry. A person qualifies if he or she was
a South African citizen by descent immediately prior to 1 January 2013, or if legally
adopted by a South African citizen and the birth is registered under the Births and
Deaths Registration Act (Study Guide, Unit 1, p. 13).
3. Citizenship by Naturalisation
A foreigner may acquire citizenship by naturalisation in four ways: if he or she was a
citizen by naturalisation before 1 January 2013; if from a country allowing dual
citizenship (otherwise renunciation is required); a major child of non-citizen parents who
has lived in the Republic from birth to majority; or if granted a certificate of naturalisation
on or after 1 January 2013. Requirements include five years’ ordinary residence, good
character, ability to communicate in an official language, and a declaration of allegiance
(Study Guide, Unit 1, pp. 15–17).
