How often South African citizenship: acquisition, naturalisation and loss is asked

Where it was asked

What costs marks here

The questions

1. May/Jun 2023, Q2.115 marks

   This question concerns citizenship acquisition and loss under South African law. A layperson who holds South African citizenship has obtained an additional citizenship, namely that of Zimbabwe. She approaches you for legal guidance on whether she is entitled to hold dual citizenship. In answering her, you are required to set out and explain the three ways in which a person may lose South African citizenship.

2. May/Jun 2023, Q2.215 marks

   This question concerns citizenship acquisition and loss under South African law. Discuss the procedures that must be followed for a person to resume South African citizenship.

3. Oct/Nov 2017, Q1.12 marks · multiple choice

   This is a multiple-choice question requiring you to select the correct answer for each of the following ten items, each worth 2 marks. Select the correct statement describing what a period of residence or ordinary residence includes: option 1) any period during which an applicant has been employed outside the Republic in the service of the Government of the Republic, or on a ship, aircraft or public means of transport registered or licensed in and operating from the Republic; option 2) a period when a foreigner is or was confined in a prison or other place of detention in the Republic after being convicted; option 3) a period when a foreigner has sojourned in the Republic, either conditionally, temporarily, or in contravention of any law in force in the Republic; option 4) a period when a foreigner is a student at one of the universities in South Africa.

4. Oct/Nov 2017, Q1.32 marks · multiple choice

   This is a multiple-choice question requiring you to select the correct answer for each of the following ten items, each worth 2 marks. Select the correct circumstance under which deprivation of citizenship occurs in the case of children: option 1) the parents of children under the age of 18 and born outside the Republic cease to be South African citizens by voluntarily obtaining citizenship of another country, without requesting the retention of South African citizenship, or as a result of deprivation; option 2) the parents of children above the age of 18 and born outside the Republic cease to be South African citizens by voluntarily obtaining citizenship of another country without requesting the retention of South African citizenship or as a result of deprivation; option 3) the parents of children under the age of 18 and born outside the Republic are convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment; option 4) the parents of children above the age of 18 and born outside the Republic are convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

5. Oct/Nov 2017, Q1.52 marks · multiple choice

   This is a multiple-choice question requiring you to select the correct answer for each of the following ten items, each worth 2 marks. Select the correct method of losing South African citizenship in terms of the Citizenship Act 1995: option 1) when an automatic statutory operation takes place; option 2) when the person is critical of the government; option 3) when the person is not a student at one of the universities in South Africa; option 4) when the person resigns from his or her employment.

6. Oct/Nov 2017, Q2.15 marks

   This question deals with citizenship, refugee status, proportional representation and judicial review under South African law. Sipho holds both South African citizenship and Canadian citizenship. He has just discovered that his South African citizenship has been taken away from him. He approaches you for legal advice, explaining that the reason given for depriving him of his citizenship is that he was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for committing a bank robbery in Canada. He wants to know whether this deprivation of his citizenship is lawful. Advise Sipho.

7. Oct/Nov 2017, Q2.22 marks

   This question deals with citizenship, refugee status, proportional representation and judicial review under South African law. Themba was granted refugee status in March 2016. In May 2017 he publishes an article criticising a judgment that the Constitutional Court delivered in April 2012. Determine whether writing this article provides grounds for the cessation (ending) of Themba's refugee status.

8. Oct/Nov 2017, Q2.35 marks

   This question deals with citizenship, refugee status, proportional representation and judicial review under South African law. Set out and explain the various circumstances that would justify bringing a person's refugee status to an end (cessation of refugee status).

9. Oct/Nov 2017, Q2.45 marks

   This question deals with citizenship, refugee status, proportional representation and judicial review under South African law. Provide a discussion of the system of proportional representation and explain what this system means for the way the South African electoral system operates.

10. Oct/Nov 2017, Q2.55 marks

    This question deals with citizenship, refugee status, proportional representation and judicial review under South African law. Give a discussion setting out your own view on whether judicial review should be regarded as undemocratic, supporting your answer with reasons.

11. May/Jun 2017, Q1.62 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice question on citizenship, public participation and democracy. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four (or in some cases numbered in brackets) options provided. According to the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, indicate how many methods there are of acquiring South African citizenship: option 1) two; option 2) three; option 3) four; option 4) five.

12. May/Jun 2017, Q1.82 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice question on citizenship, public participation and democracy. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four (or in some cases numbered in brackets) options provided. Select what citizenship by descent involves acquiring citizenship through: option 1) your ancestry; option 2) naturalization; option 3) birth; option 4) both naturalization and birth.

13. May/Jun 2017, Q1.92 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice question on citizenship, public participation and democracy. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four (or in some cases numbered in brackets) options provided. Choose which of the following is one of the requirements that a foreigner must comply with in order to be issued with a certificate of naturalization: option 1) he or she must prove that he or she has been lawfully admitted to the Republic for temporary residence; option 2) he or she must prove that he or she has been issued with an asylum seeker permit; option 3) he or she must prove that he or she has been lawfully admitted to the Republic for permanent residence; option 4) he or she must prove that he or she has been granted a refugee status.

14. May/Jun 2017, Q1.102 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice question on citizenship, public participation and democracy. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four (or in some cases numbered in brackets) options provided. Select what a period of residence or ordinary residence includes: option 1) any period during which an applicant has been resident outside the Republic with his or her spouse while the latter was so employed; option 2) a period when a foreigner is or was confined in a prison or other place of detention in the Republic after being convicted; option 3) a period when a foreigner has sojourned in the Republic, either conditionally, temporarily or in contravention of any law in force in the Republic; option 4) a period when a foreigner is a student at one of the Universities in South Africa.

15. May/Jun 2017, Q2.110 marks

    Discuss the various requirements that a foreigner has to satisfy before he or she can be issued with a certificate of naturalisation.

16. May/Jun 2017, Q2.25 marks

    Explain what is meant by a period of residence or ordinary residence, and describe what this concept includes for purposes of deciding whether a foreigner should be granted a certificate of naturalisation.

17. May/Jun 2017, Q2.35 marks

    Sipho, a foreigner, was found guilty of rape in 2001 and was given a nine-year prison sentence, which he served in full at Pretoria prison. Having now been resident in South Africa for 10 years, he approaches you for advice, saying he wishes to apply for a certificate of naturalisation. Advise Sipho on whether he will be issued with a certificate of naturalisation.

18. May/Jun 2017, Q3.15 marks

    Sipho possesses dual nationality, holding both South African citizenship and Canadian citizenship. He has recently discovered that his South African citizenship is being taken away from him. Seeking your legal advice, he explains that the reason given for the deprivation of his citizenship is that he was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for bank robbery, which occurred in Canada. He wants to know whether this deprivation of his citizenship is lawful. Provide him with advice.

19. May/Jun 2017, Q3.25 marks

    Explain what happens to the citizenship status of children when they lose their citizenship because their parents stopped being South African citizens. This situation arises where the parents voluntarily acquired citizenship of another country without applying to retain their South African citizenship, or where the parents were deprived of their citizenship. Discuss the consequences of loss of citizenship for the children in this scenario.

20. May/Jun 2017, Q3.35 marks

    Mr X, who is a qualified engineer, is granted a permanent resident permit. Two months after receiving this permit, he is permanently appointed as a manager by the Department of Trade and Industry. Three months after that appointment, he receives a letter informing him that his employment is being withdrawn on the grounds that, as a foreigner, he does not qualify for permanent employment. Provide Mr X with legal advice on this matter.

21. May/Jun 2017, Q3.410 marks

    Discuss how citizens' rights may be limited, with reference to section 36 of the Constitution.

22. Oct/Nov 2016, Q1.72 marks · multiple choice

    This question consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, on citizenship, public participation and democracy. Candidates must select the one correct answer for each item and record their answers on the separate mark-reading sheet. According to the Citizenship Act 1995, identify by whom a minor must be assisted when applying for a certificate of naturalisation, choosing from: (1) a responsible parent or guardian; (2) a friend; (3) a court; (4) his or her school.

23. Oct/Nov 2016, Q2.115 marks

    Provide a discussion of the legislative history of South African citizenship law.

24. Oct/Nov 2016, Q2.215 marks

    Mr and Mrs Malapo are unemployed Zimbabwean citizens who have obtained permanent residence status in South Africa. During the 1980s they fled Zimbabwe because of the outbreak of civil war and sought refuge in South Africa, eventually integrating into the local community in Mpumalanga province. With the help of social workers, they applied for an old-age grant in January 2012. In February 2012 their applications for the old-age grants were turned down on the basis that they are not South African citizens. Referring to relevant case law, discuss whether this refusal of their old-age grant applications is constitutional.

25. May/Jun 2016, Q1.22 marks · multiple choice

    This is Question 1 of the CPD1501 May/June 2016 exam paper (Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy), originally set in Afrikaans and translated into English here for extraction purposes. It consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, based on South African citizenship, immigration and constitutional law. When a minor applies for a certificate of naturalisation, the Citizenship Act of 1995 requires that the minor be assisted by whom or what?

26. May/Jun 2016, Q1.62 marks · multiple choice

    This is Question 1 of the CPD1501 May/June 2016 exam paper (Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy), originally set in Afrikaans and translated into English here for extraction purposes. It consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, based on South African citizenship, immigration and constitutional law. Under the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, how many ways are there in which South African citizenship can be acquired?

27. May/Jun 2016, Q1.72 marks · multiple choice

    This is Question 1 of the CPD1501 May/June 2016 exam paper (Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy), originally set in Afrikaans and translated into English here for extraction purposes. It consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, based on South African citizenship, immigration and constitutional law. Although it is generally true that a person born on or after the commencement date of the Citizenship Act in the Republic qualifies as a South African citizen by birth, there are exceptions. Identify one situation in which such a person would NOT qualify for South African citizenship by birth, namely when one of the person's parents, at the time of the person's birth, met which condition?

28. May/Jun 2016, Q1.82 marks · multiple choice

    This is Question 1 of the CPD1501 May/June 2016 exam paper (Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy), originally set in Afrikaans and translated into English here for extraction purposes. It consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, based on South African citizenship, immigration and constitutional law. Citizenship by descent means that a person acquires citizenship by means of what?

29. May/Jun 2016, Q1.92 marks · multiple choice

    This is Question 1 of the CPD1501 May/June 2016 exam paper (Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy), originally set in Afrikaans and translated into English here for extraction purposes. It consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, based on South African citizenship, immigration and constitutional law. One of the requirements a foreigner must satisfy before a certificate of naturalisation can be issued is that he or she must provide proof of what?

30. May/Jun 2016, Q1.102 marks · multiple choice

    This is Question 1 of the CPD1501 May/June 2016 exam paper (Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy), originally set in Afrikaans and translated into English here for extraction purposes. It consists of ten multiple-choice items, each worth 2 marks, based on South African citizenship, immigration and constitutional law. A period of residence or ordinary residence includes which of the following?

31. Oct/Nov 2015, Q1.12 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice section that must be answered on a separate mark-reading sheet. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four options provided. Choose the correct statement regarding what constitutes a period of residence or ordinary residence.

32. Oct/Nov 2015, Q1.22 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice section that must be answered on a separate mark-reading sheet. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four options provided. Identify which of the following is one of the methods of losing South African citizenship in terms of the Citizenship Act 1995.

33. Oct/Nov 2015, Q1.32 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice section that must be answered on a separate mark-reading sheet. For each item below, select the one correct answer from the four options provided. Select the correct description of when deprivation of citizenship takes place in the case of children, in relation to their parents.

34. Oct/Nov 2015, Q3.110 marks

    This question concerns South African citizenship and migration law. Provide a discussion of the legislative history of South African citizenship.

35. Oct/Nov 2015, Q3.25 marks

    This question concerns South African citizenship and migration law. Mr and Mrs Malapo are unemployed Zimbabwean citizens who have obtained permanent residence status in South Africa. They fled Zimbabwe during the 1980s because of the outbreak of civil war and sought refuge in South Africa. With the help of social workers, they became integrated into the local community in Mpumalanga Province in January 2012. In February 2012 they applied for an old-age grant, but their application was refused on the basis that they are not South African citizens. Referring to relevant case law, discuss whether this refusal to grant them old-age grants is constitutional.

36. Oct/Nov 2015, Q3.35 marks

    This question concerns South African citizenship and migration law. Provide a discussion of the law regulating the admission of immigrants into South Africa as well as the law regulating the departure of migrants from South Africa.

37. May/Jun 2015, Q1.12 marks · multiple choice

    This question consists of ten multiple-choice items on South African citizenship, constitutional law and democracy. Candidates must choose the single correct answer for each item and record their responses on the separate mark-reading sheet provided. Select the correct statement: citizenship by birth is acquired by anyone who satisfies which of the following conditions?

38. May/Jun 2015, Q1.22 marks · multiple choice

    This question consists of ten multiple-choice items on South African citizenship, constitutional law and democracy. Candidates must choose the single correct answer for each item and record their responses on the separate mark-reading sheet provided. Identify which of the following is a method of losing South African citizenship in terms of the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995.

39. May/Jun 2015, Q4.110 marks

    This question concerns South African citizenship and immigration law. Provide a discussion of the legislative history of South African citizenship.

40. May/Jun 2015, Q4.210 marks

    This question concerns South African citizenship and immigration law. Mr and Mrs Malapo are unemployed Zimbabwean citizens who have obtained permanent residence status in South Africa. They fled Zimbabwe during the 1980s due to the outbreak of civil war and sought refuge in South Africa. In January 2012, with the help of social workers, they integrated into the local community in Mpumalanga Province. In February 2012 they applied for an old-age grant, but their application was refused on the basis that they are not South African citizens. With reference to relevant case law, discuss whether the refusal to grant Mr and Mrs Malapo old-age grants is constitutional.

41. May/Jun 2015, Q4.310 marks

    This question concerns South African citizenship and immigration law. Discuss the law that regulates the admission of immigrants into South Africa as well as the law governing the departure of migrants from South Africa.

42. Oct/Nov 2013, Q1.12 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice section on citizenship, public participation and democracy. Select the one correct answer for each of the following items. Choose which of the following statements correctly describes what a period of residence or ordinary residence includes.

43. Oct/Nov 2013, Q1.22 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice section on citizenship, public participation and democracy. Select the one correct answer for each of the following items. Identify which of the following is one of the methods of losing South African citizenship in terms of the Citizenship Act of 1995.

44. Oct/Nov 2013, Q1.102 marks · multiple choice

    This is a multiple-choice section on citizenship, public participation and democracy. Select the one correct answer for each of the following items. Identify when deprivation of citizenship in the case of children takes place, based on the circumstances of the children's parents.

45. Oct/Nov 2013, Q2.114 marks

    This question deals with South African citizenship law and immigration matters. Provide a discussion of the historical development of the legislation dealing with South African citizenship law.

46. Oct/Nov 2013, Q2.210 marks

    This question deals with South African citizenship law and immigration matters. Mr and Mrs Malapo are unemployed citizens of Zimbabwe who have obtained permanent residence status in South Africa. During the 1980s they fled Zimbabwe because of the outbreak of civil war there and sought refuge in South Africa, where they became integrated into the local community in Mpumalanga province. With the help of social workers, they applied for an old-age grant in January 2012. However, in February 2012 their applications for the old-age grants were turned down on the basis that they are not South African citizens. Referring to relevant case law, discuss whether the refusal of their old-age grant applications is constitutional.

47. Oct/Nov 2013, Q2.310 marks

    This question deals with South African citizenship law and immigration matters. Discuss the legal provisions that regulate how immigrants are admitted into South Africa as well as how migrants depart from South Africa.