[kristybee]

yes it is to that you have lifted in South Africa as a permanent resident for not less than 5 years....then only can the ID be issued:

As a foreign national you must be able to prove that you have lived in South Africa with a valid permit /visa for a period of no less than 5 years before applying for South African citizenship. Please note, if you are the wife or husband of a South African citizen, you still have to be married for 5 years.

Permanent Residency holders who are absent for periods of three years or longer may lose their right to Permanent Residency in South Africa, unless they return for a short period within the longer absence.

South African Permanent Resident status does not influence the holder’s original citizenship, and as a result he/she may be issued with a South African (ID) Identity Document on the grounds of a “non-citizen”, but not a South African port.