How long must I have a temporary South African life partner visa before I can apply for permanent?

Permanent residence can be applied for if a foreigner and a South African citizen or permanent residence holder have been in the permanent relationship for 5 years or longer, if this is the case, then temporary and permanent residence can be applied for simultaneously.

If the relationship has not been ongoing for 5 years or longer, temporary residence is then applied for first, and once the relationship has hit this mark, then permanent residence can then be applied for.