Lesotho taekwondo athlete Michelle Tau’s passport post sparks debate over South African citizenship

Lesotho taekwondo athlete Michelle Tau has become the subject of social media discussion after posting a photograph that appeared to show a South African passport, prompting questions from users about her nationality and possible dual citizenship.

Post ignites online questions

The photograph, shared by Tau, drew attention when commenters suggested the passport visible in the image might be South African. One user, @Rethabile Mojaje, asked:

“You are a South African, right?”

Another user, @Jay MQ, urged caution, writing:

“But that’s just a hand holding a passport we not even sure it’s really her…”

Other commenters included @Fox Poller, who asked:

“So you no longer a Mosotho you now a SA citizen?”

and @Tseliso Ramakhoa, who asked:

“Wait a minute. Kanthe you have dual citizenship?”

Tau’s representation for Lesotho

Tau is known for representing Lesotho in international taekwondo. She competed for Lesotho at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the women’s under-49kg event, where she faced Iran’s Mobina Nematzadeh in the opening round. She has also competed at the African Games and the African Taekwondo Championships.

No independent verification of South African citizenship

There is no independently verified evidence establishing that Tau is a South African citizen. The published photograph does not, by itself, establish the legal status of the person holding the passport, nor does it explain how the document may have been in her possession.

Legal context: Lesotho and dual nationality

The online debate has highlighted that Lesotho permits dual citizenship. The country’s Eighth Amendment to the Constitution Act, 2018 changed the previous position on dual nationality. Lesotho’s Ministry of Home Affairs has said the amendment means applicants seeking Lesotho citizenship do not have to renounce their original citizenship and that it provides for restoration of citizenship for Basotho who had lost it under the former prohibition.

Why the story attracted attention

The reaction reflects the close relationship between Lesotho and South Africa. Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa, and the two countries have extensive links. The Ministry of Home Affairs notes that Lesotho’s border posts are all with South Africa, and names the Maseru and Maputsoe crossings among the busiest. Tau’s visibility as an athlete who has represented Lesotho internationally is a factor in why her passport post drew particular interest.

For now, the key question raised by social mediawhether Michelle Tau holds South African citizenshipremains unverified.