Southern African Nationality Network

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Republic of South Africa

Naturalisation

South Africa scores 4.5 out of 8 for naturalization. South Africa loses a significant part of its score in this indicator because it does not make provision for facilitated access to naturalization for stateless persons and persons of unknown nationality, nor does it waive legal residence for person who were stateless. It also requires renunciation of an existing nationality if that country does not allow dual citizenship without providing for a safeguard against statelessness.


The Kingdom of Eswatini

Naturalisation

Eswatini scores 3 out of 8. Like the other countries it does not make provision for facilitated access to naturalization of refugees and stateless persons. Importantly, it reserves naturalization through marriage for women marrying Swazi men.


Zimbabwe

Naturalisation

ZiZimbabwe scores 2,5 out of 8. Like other countries in the region, Zimbabwe does not make provision for facilitated access to naturalization of refugees and stateless persons. Renunciation of a person’s existing nationality is required for acquisition of Zimbabwean nationality by naturalisation. There is no protection against statelessness in case nationality is not granted.


United Republic of Tanzania

Naturalisation

Tanzania scores 2 out of 8 for naturalization. The Tanzanian Citizenship law still discriminates against women in that they cannot pass nationality to their foreign husbands. The law contains a requirement to renounce one’s citizenship before acquiring Tanzanian citizenship, without a protection against statelessness in case naturalization is not granted. No facilitated access to naturalisation is afforded to any of the relevant groups at risk, such as stateless persons and refugees, or those married to citizens.


Republic of Botswana

Gender Equality in Nationality and Birth Registration Laws

Botswana achieves only 2 out of 8 for naturalisation. The law makes provision for naturalisation based on long term residence. Half a point is deducted because 11 years’ legal residence is required, and no exception is made for stateless persons. Most importantly, no facilitated access to naturalisation is afforded to any of the relevant groups at risk, such as stateless persons and refugees, or those married to citizens.


Republic of Angola

Naturalisation

Angola scores 3.5 out of 8 for naturalisation. Angola makes provision for naturalisation in cases of marriage or long-term residence. Legal residence of 10 years is required. However, no exemption from legal stay is granted to stateless persons. The law does not make specific provision for the naturalisation of refugees or stateless persons.


Madagascar

Naturalisation

Madagascar scores 3 out of 8 for naturalisation. Marriage and long-term residence are both included among bases for naturalisation. The residence time frame is merely 5 years. However, the law does not make provision for an exemption of legal residence from stateless person.