Dear Editor
Today marks a landmark moment for South Africans around the world and a victory more than a decade in the making.
Following the Constitutional Court’s historic judgment on 6 May 2025, which struck down Section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act as unconstitutional, the pathway to restore the citizenship of those who unjustly lost it is finally a reality.
This constitutional victory is the culmination of years of sustained advocacy by the DA, including the DA Abroad’s 2014 constitutional demand and long-standing efforts to defend the rights and dignity of South Africans living across the world.
It represents a major step forward for constitutional justice and the recognition of our global citizenry.
We welcome the Department of Home Affairs’ launch of the Citizenship Reinstatement Portal, which will allow affected individuals to verify and confirm the restoration of their South African citizenship.
This portal demonstrates the potential of digital transformation within government to deliver efficient, transparent, and dignified services.
By providing a streamlined, online process, the Department has taken an important step toward ensuring that the Court’s judgment is implemented fairly, consistently, and without delay.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Minister of Home Affairs, the DA’s Dr. Leon Schreiber and his team for their commitment to upholding the judgment and for working at pace to ensure that this historic correction of injustice is supported by effective digital service delivery. Their cooperation has been instrumental in making this milestone possible.
The DA Abroad remains steadfast in our commitment to assisting South Africans through every step of the reinstatement process.
We will continue to provide guidance, communication, and support to ensure that all affected citizens can reclaim the rights that were unconstitutionally taken from them.
Today marks a moment of justice, restoration, and dignity for South Africans across the world.
Regards
Ludre Stevens
DA Abroad Leader