For decades, many South Africans living abroad, often holding dual nationality, have carried a quiet burden: the automatic loss of their South African citizenship. This was a consequence of the complex application of the South African Citizenship Act of 1995, where acquiring a second nationality before applying for retention of SA citizenship resulted in the immediate forfeiture of their original citizenship.

But The Constitutional Court of South Africa has declared that Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act (Act 88 of 1995) is unconstitutional and invalid from its inception on 6 October 1995. This section previously stated that South African citizens would automatically lose their citizenship upon acquiring citizenship of another country, unless they had received prior permission from the Minister of Home Affairs.

And now, for the thousands who experienced this automatic loss, a new digital horizon has opened, promising to simplify the journey home.

The biggest game-changer for the global South African community isn’t a policy shift, but a technological one: the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has officially rolled out its new Online Citizenship Portal.

This platform marks a watershed moment, taking the often cumbersome, paper-heavy process of citizenship and enabling its end-to-end management online. For those living thousands of miles away, who previously faced lengthy delays, multiple trips to consulates, and the anxiety of postal applications, this digital transformation is nothing short of revolutionary.

The new portal allows eligible applicants to initiate, upload required documents, and track the status of critical applications, including the all-important process of resuming lost citizenship.

Visit myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za to get started with the process.

Previously, the resumption application required compiling extensive documentation, having it certified and apostilled, and submitting it physically to a South African mission abroad. The processing time was lengthy, and communication was often difficult.

With the new online portal, the application process for resumption is streamlined:

This shift moves the experience from a frustrating bureaucratic ordeal to a transparent, manageable administrative process.

Sunrise – Durban, South Africa. Photo by Buan Stanley on Unsplash

For the expats, reclaiming South African citizenship is rarely about convenience; it is a profound matter of identity and belonging. South African heritage remains a powerful cultural anchor, and the restored legal status allows individuals to fully participate in their home country once more.

Whether it’s the right to acquire land, the ease of opening bank accounts, or simply the ability to travel using a South African passport, the resumption of citizenship provides a tangible link to home. It is also an investment in future generations, allowing children born abroad to potentially claim their heritage more easily.

The official launch of the Online Citizenship Portal is a testament to the DHA’s commitment to embracing technology to serve its citizens, both domestically and abroad. For those who thought their connection was permanently severed, the online portal provides the most efficient and accessible bridge yet to reclaim their place under the African sun. This is a story of digital transformation meeting the enduring call of home.