479 take Pledge as new Singapore citizens

After living in Singapore for nearly 20 years, Mr Nelius Strydom, 55, and his wife, Madam Stacey Tucker, 51, who moved here from South Africa, took the step to apply for Singapore citizenship two years ago.

- Lee Nian Tjoe

"Singapore will always be our home, because we got married here," said Mr Strydom who works in the fintech industry.

The pair had just started dating in South Africa when Mr Strydom was posted to Singapore for work in 2004. Madam Tucker, who now works as a management executive at a law firm, moved to join him in 2006. They became permanent residents in 2008.

The couple, who have three grown-up daughters living elsewhere, were among the 479 new Singapore citizens who received their certificates of citizenship at the annual National Citizenship Ceremony held by the People's Association on Sunday.

Speaking at the event held at ITE College West in Choa Chu Kang, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said Singapore has always been open to the to world flows of goods and services, people and ideas.