The following persons are South African citizens by birth:
Persons born in South Africa before October 6, 1995.
Persons born in or out of wedlock on or after October 6, 1995 if one of his or her parents is either a South African citizen or a permanent resident. For those born before October 6, 1995 the mother of the child must have been a South African citizen at the time of the birth of the child.
Persons born in South Africa, not having the nationality of any other country and whose birth is registered.
Person born outside South Africa and whose parents were at the birth of the child in the service of the South African Government, representative, employee of a person, association of person resident, established in South Africa, was in the service of international organization to which the Government of South Africa is a member.
The following persons are South African citizens by decent:
Persons born outside South Africa of whom one of his or her parents was a South African citizen at the time of his or her birth and whose births are registered.
Persons born outside South Africa, adopted by a South African citizen, and whose birth is registered.
Any person in Namibia on or after March 21, 1990 whose mother or father was a South African citizen at the time of the birth of the child.
Adopted child whose responsible parent was issued with a certificate of resumption of citizenship and has entered South Africa for permanent residence while he or she was a minor and whose birth was registered within a year after the certificate of resumption was issued.
Civic application takes 6-9 months (-/+) for processing by Department of Home Affairs in South Africa