South Africans Abroad React to Report over Dual Citizenship

A report in the Sunday Times over the weekend that the African National Congress (ANC) is considering changing its dual-citizenship rules – and requiring South Africans to hold only one passport – has had a negative and sometimes sobering response from South Africans abroad.

Replying to a question on SAPeople’s facebook page on how they would react if dual citizenship was banned, Christine S. who now lives in Australia said, “They would most certainly lose me as a South African citizen,” while Louise H., also living in Australia, had a different reaction.

“Ninety percent of my family live in South Africa and I have very strong ties to the country,” said Louise. “It’s where I grew up and frequently visit. I didn’t leave as some kind of political statement, it just happened that I ended up in Australia. I would be heartbroken if I could never visit the country of my birth and cultural heritage again, or if I couldn’t call myself South African.”

The citizenship issue was raised by the ANC at its meeting (Lekgotla) in late July.

In a bulletin afterwards, the party said, “The Lekgotla noted with concern that there is a growing number of young Jewish South Africans who go to Israel for national service and as such there should be a campaign to discourage this practise. There is a need for us to strengthen our legislation in this regard.

“The Lekgotla recommends that a discussion and review of dual citizenship be tabled before the National General Council.” The conference will be held next month from October 9 to 12 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Gauteng.

Responding to the issue, Karen H. revealed that when she became a German citizen 30 years ago, German law  forced her to relinquish her South African citizenship, while one South African in Australia said he didn’t even know dual citizenship was available and gave up his SA passport when he became an Australian in 2000. (Louise H. pointed out that he should have contacted the SA consulate beforehand to keep his SA passport and have dual citizenship.)

An expat in Canada said “I would be extremely upset if I were forced to relinquish my SA citizenship.  Hoping to return to raise my children there some day…”

Mandy K. also said she hoped the law did not change. “Although I do hold citizenship in another country…I still hold South Africa near and dear to my heart..it would be nice to always have the option to go back with my kids without being treated like a foreigner.”

Lana L. said she never became a dual citizen after emigrating. She said she believed that if you moved to a new country, that’s the citizenship you should hold.

One expat, Brenda R., said: “Happy to relinquish my SA citizenship, in fact I look forward to it!”

Leskin L. probably summed up the feelings of many though when she said: “We were born in Africa and lived there most of our lives…I will always be a citizen in my heart.”