NGCOBO J need only have resided continuously in the Republic for a period of five years in order to qualify for citizenship by naturalisation. [116] It is also true that the five year waiting period could prove harmful to permanent residents who are unable to provide for themselves, just as it might prove harmful to a South African citizen who has to wait for five years to reach the qualifying age for a social grant. But recognising this possibility, the law also includes a provision for such individuals to obtain benefits during this interim period. Under section 5(9)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act, the Minister “may under exceptional circumstances grant a certificate of naturalisation as a South African citizen to an applicant who does not comply with the requirements of the said subsection (1) relating to residence or ordinary residence in the Republic.” [117] It is therefore plain from these provisions that a permanent resident can get social benefits after five years, but that the state can waive the residential waiting period for permanent residents in exceptional cases. From this, it must follow that permanent residents need not always wait for five years to become citizens and thus become eligible for social security. (d) (e) (f) (g) he or she is of good character; and he or she intends to continue to reside in the Republic or to enter or continue in the service of the Government of the Republic or of an international organisation of which the Government of the Republic is a member or of a person or association of persons resident or established in the Republic; and he or she is able to communicate in any one of the official languages of the Republic to the satisfaction of the Minister; and he or she has an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of South African citizenship.” 73