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Exciting Win in the Supreme Court

There has been a massive win in the Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) for all South Africans who acquired foreign citizenship and lost their South African citizenship by automatic statutory operation and those planning to acquire foreign citizenship.

In terms of the s6(1)(a) South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, a South African citizen automatically loses their citizenship if by some voluntary and formal act other than marriage they acquire the citizenship of another country without first applying to the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) for retention of their citizenship in terms of s 6(2) and being granted the retention.

Thousands of South Africans have lost their citizenship on this basis, and most were not even aware at the time, as the loss is automatic upon the acquisition of foreign citizenship. Many have only found out years later when trying to renew their passport.

The official opposition political party, the Democratic Alliance (“DA”), challenged the constitutionality of s 6(1)(a) and sought to have it declared invalid from October 6, 1995, when the Citizenship Act came into operation, and to have the citizenship of all those who had lost it on this basis, restored. The DHA opposed the application in the Pretoria High Court, and it was dismissed as the court rejected the DA’s contentions. It also dismissed the DA’s application for leave to appeal.

The DA still took the matter to the SCA on appeal and today it upheld the appeal with costs and declared that s6(1)(a) is inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid from October 6, 1995! It further declared that all citizens who had lost their citizenship on this basis are not deemed to have lost it. The unconstitutionality must now be confirmed by the Constitutional Court before it can take effect and this will likely take several months.

 

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Zimbabwe – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you while travelling to Zimbabwe

 

Zimbabwean population

  • The Zimbabwean population currently stands at 15,8 million (2022).

 

Capital and Largest City

  • Harare is Zimbabwe’s largest and Capital city.

 

Official Language(s)

  • Zimbabwe has several official languages, including Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani ,Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa. However, English and Ndebele are the most widely spoken languages. English is also the country’s parliamentary language, and the language of all other formal institutions.

 

Currency

  • In Zimbabwe the United States dollar and the South African Rand is used as currency.

 

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 17:00.

 

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC +2.

 

Calling Code

  • +263.

 

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

 

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

 

Government

  • The Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front.

 

Climate

  • Zimbabwe has a tropical climate with many local variations. The southern areas are known for their heat and aridity, while parts of the central plateau receive frost in winter. The Zambezi valley is also known for its extreme heat, and the Eastern Highlands usually experience cool temperatures and the highest rainfall in the country. The country’s rainy season generally runs from late October to March.

 

Transport

  • Zimbabwe’s main airport is Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, situated in Harare. Zimbabwe has rail links with South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique. Around 20% of Zimbabwe’s roads are paved. Zimbabwe has 196 airports, 17 of which have paved runways.

 

Economy

  • Main industries in this country include mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and non-metallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, food stuffs, beverages, and cattle.

 

Hospitality

  • When visiting a local’s house in Zimbabwe, it is the norm to arrive with a small gift for the host. Food is usually appropriate as said gift. It is not usually necessary to take off your shoes when entering a home. However, it is important to remember to remove your hat. When visiting a local you will be offered refreshments of tea or coffee, you will be expected to accept the gesture out of politeness.

 

Greetings

  • Greetings are performed in order of age. So if someone doesn’t greet you, it may be because they are older than you and are therefore waiting on you to make the first gesture. The most common greeting is a firm handshake with the right hand. Some Zimbabweans may also slide their hands up to grasp each other’s thumbs during the handshake. The handshake is usually followed by one of the parties saying; “Makadii,’’ which means ‘‘How are you?’’ in Shona. Women may lower their body briefly, kneel or curtsy whilst shaking hands out of respect, while men may go down on one knee.

 

Money

  • The Zimbabwean dollar (sign: Z$; code: ZWL), alternatively known as the Zimdollar or Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dollar, is one of the official currencies of Zimbabwe. It was the only official currency in Zimbabwe from June 2019 to March 2020, after which foreign currencies, such as the United States Dollar and the South African Rand, were legalised again.

 

Transportation

  • Roadblocks are common throughout Zimbabwe, and often times may without warning. Hence, as an expat, you may want to keep your identification documents, car registration and ownership papers on your person at all times, as these documents will have to be shown when requested by police. Another good thing to know about driving in Zimbabwe is that drivers are often subjected to bribery demands. This occurs frequently, so don’t be surprised and don’t be aggressive.

 

Safety

  • Zimbabwe is a fairly safe country to visit. However, it does have a high rate of petty crime, and it’s mainly ridden with street crime. Driving in Zimbabwe is not recommended for expats as the driving conditions are really bad, and the country is filled with irresponsible drivers. The most common crimes in Zimbabwe include pick-pocketers, mugging, and scams.

 

Culture

  • Zimbabwe has many different cultures. The largest ethnic group is the Shona people, who are known for their rich oral tradition. Similar to many other African countries, a majority of Zimbabweans depend on staple foods. “Mealie meal”, also known as cornmeal in other parts of the world, is a favourite food, a staple food, and also a part of many traditional dishes in Zimbabwe. Mealie Meal is used to prepare bota, a porridge made by mixing cornmeal with water, to make a thick paste. Cornmeal is also used to make sadza, which is usually eaten for dinner, and by many for lunch too.

 

Shops

  • Zimbabwe has numerous modern malls and shopping centres that resembles those of Western countries. While here, be sure to check out Elephant’s Walk Shopping and Artist’s Village or the Avondale Flea Market. There are also many entertainment options such as art galleries and restaurant in Zimbabwe, especially in its capital city.

 

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Written and by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams

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Morocco – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you while travelling to Morocco

 

Moroccan population

  • The Moroccan population currently stands at 37 million.

 

Capital and Largest City

  • Rabat and Casablanca.

 

Official Language(s)

  • Arabic and Berber.

 

Currency

  • Moroccan dirham.

 

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 12:30 and 15:00 – 18:30.

 

Weekends

  • Saturday – Sunday.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC.

 

Calling Code

  • +212.

 

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

 

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

 

Government

  • Morocco’s political structure is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, whereby the prime minister of Morocco is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. The Prime Minister of Morocco is Aziz Akhannouch.

 

Climate

  • Morocco’s climate is moderate and subtropical. The weather is cooled by breezes off the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The climate in the interior is more extreme. Winters can be quite cold while summers are very hot. The further you go from the ocean the more extreme winter and summer temperatures become. Weather along the coastal region is tempered by the Mediterranean in the North and the Atlantic Ocean along Morocco’s Western coast near Casablanca and Essaouira.

 

Transport

  • Morocco’s main airport is Mohammed V International Airport, situated in Casablanca. Morocco has 11 main highways, 11 major airports, and a number of rail links. The main port is the Port of Casablanca.

 

Economy

  • Morocco’s main industries that contribute towards its economy include phosphates, rock mining and processing, high tech, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism, and automobile manufacturing.

 

Hospitality

  • Morocco is known for being a hospitable country, Tourists who visit the country will never forget Moroccans hospitality or neglect to mention it in their travel stories. You can be easily invited to a local’s home after a conversation while exploring or even by taking a taxi, you might be invited by the taxi driver! But be careful to reject the invitation, they might take it as a personal rejection.

 

Greetings

  • When Moroccans see someone they know, it is impolite to merely greet them and keep walking. At the very least they have to stop in order to shake hands. This is thereafter followed up by questions about the other person’s family, children, and health. Hugs are commonly exchanged between same-sex friends, at home, on the street, in restaurants, and in business meetings. Same-sex friends usually walk around holding hands, but couples, even married couples, rarely touch in public. Male/female contact in public is strictly limited to handshaking.

 

Money

  • The Moroccan dirham is the official monetary currency of Morocco. It is issued by the Bank Maghrib, the central bank of Morocco. One Moroccan dirham is subdivided into 100 Santimat.

 

Transportation

  • Regular flights and ferries connect Morocco with Europe and the Middle East. Getting around Morocco using public transport is generally easy. Infrastructure is constantly developing due to continuous investments, so there are rail networks linking the main towns of the north, the coast and Marrakesh, as well as plenty of buses and taxis. You also have the option of taking the high-speed train, which currently has 4 stations: Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat, and Casablanca. Going on a Coach Tour is also a fun way to explore Morocco. These busses trips are conducted by private companies.

 

Safety

  • Morocco is absolutely a safe country to travel to! Morocco is the most political stable country in North-Africa. Morocco’s tourism numbers have been growing by the year and are expected to continue on this trajectory. Growing tourism numbers typically indicate a safe country to travel to. However, this does not mean that crimes do not occur in the country. The most common complaints in Morocco are pushy people, petty theft, and poor treatment of women.

 

Culture

  • The culture of Morocco is a blend of Arab, Amazighs, Jewish, African and Western European cultures. The linguistic landscape of Morocco is complex and beautiful. It generally tends to be horizontally diverse and vertically stratified. The most spoken languages in Morocco is Arabic and Berber. The culture of Morocco is renowned for its literature, which stems from the 8th century with the arrival of Islam, music, art, and mouth-watering cuisine.

 

Shops

  • The most amazing and vibrant shopping experience you will ever have in Morocco will be at the souqs, such as Jemaa el-Fnaa, Souk El Had d’Agadir, or Souk. However, if you are looking for something more modern perhaps visit the beautiful Morocco Mall.

 

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Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams

Lize-Mari Ras
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Senegal – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you while travelling to Senegal

 

Senegalese population

  • The Senegalese population currently stands at 17 million (2023).

 

Capital and Largest City

  • Dakar is the Capital and Largest city in Senegal.

 

Official Language(s)

  • French is the official language of Senegal.

 

Currency

  • The CFA Franc is the official currency of Senegal.

 

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.

 

Weekend

  • Weekends are held over Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC.

 

Calling Code

  • +221.

 

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

 

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

 

Government

  • The Senegalese Democratic Party.

 

Climate

  • Senegal has a tropical climate with pleasant heat throughout the year. This West-African country has well-defined dry and humid seasons that result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. The dry season lasts from December to April, and is dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind. Dakar receives most of its rainfall between June and October.

 

Transport

  • The system of roads in Senegal is extensive by West African standards, with paved roads reaching each corner of the country and all major towns.

 

Economy

  • The main industries that contribute to Senegal’s economy include fish, phosphates, groundnuts, and tourism services.

 

Hospitality

  • Conversations generally kept positive and can only start after questions pertaining to the health and well-being of the other person and their family members are asked. Regardless of what may be happening in your personal life, it is incumbent that you respond to these questions positively and politely. People in Senegal tend to lower their gaze while conversing with one another, so try to avoid eye contact. Making eye contact with people, especially for extended periods, could possibly make you come across as arrogant.

 

Greetings

  • It is important not to rush the greeting process, as this is considered rude. Greetings may vary according to different ethnic groups. A handshake is the common greeting for acquaintances and when meeting people for the first time, while close friends may hug each other. Although most Senegalese are Muslims, cross-gender touch does occur here. However, very religious men and women may choose to refrain from doing so.

 

Money

  • The West Africa CFA franc is the currency of six independent states in Western Africa – Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. In several central African states, the Central African CFA franc (pronounced ‘’say-fa’’) is in circulation. The Central African CFA franc is of equal value to the West African franc. Both XAF and XOF currencies are referred to as the CFA franc.

 

Transportation

  • The main airport in Senegal is the Blaise Diagne International Airport. Senegal’s transport system comprises roads, some of which are unfortunately unpaved, rail transport, water transport, and air transportation. Dakar is the endpoint of three routes in the Trans African Highway network. National roads are named N1 through N7. Senegal has 7 ports, with the main being in Dakar. Dakar has one of the largest deep-water seaports along the West African coast.

 

Safety

  • Senegal is known for being of the safest countries in West Africa. Not only is it in their culture to be generous and hospitable towards all guests, but their low levels of overall crimes make it one of the most welcoming countries to visit in West Africa. However, as with any other country, some areas remain safer than others. Thus, be sure to abide by the local laws, practice caution, and be vigilant at all times in order to make the best of your stay in this friendly country.

 

Culture

  • While there are over ten ethnic groups in Senegal, only five are predominant. The largest ethnic group is the Wolof, who reside in the northwest and centre of the country. Most Senegalese follow a religion, and often incorporate some traditional cultural beliefs in their religions practices as well. Freedom of religion is emphasised in the constitution of the country. Although Senegal is predominantly Muslim, with a Christian minority, it is open to various religions and the various religious groups coexist in relative harmony.

 

Shops

  • Senegal has numerous stores, shopping centres, and malls that are modern like that of those in western countries, especially in its capital city. Therefore, shopping and entertainment should be no hassle.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

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Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams