By: Onthatile Mahlangu
A recent TikTok video shed light on the struggles of a
young girl trying to acquire an identity card (ID).
Ayanda Simelane who is 22 years from Mamelodi Nellmapius
did not have an identity card.
She could not
do an ID because Home Affairs said that she was a duplicate entry.
“When I was 16 years old and went to apply my ID home
affairs told me that my information already exists in KwaZulu-Natal.”
She said
according to the documents she received from the government social workers; her
mom was a student who stayed in Sunnyside studying labour Relations at the
University of Pretoria.
Then Mom gave birth and left her at Tshwane Academic
Hospital.
“I was relocated in a place of safety even today I do
not know my mother; I have never met her,” Ayanda added.
She completed her matric with an affidavit however she
could not access her matric results due to being a duplicate entry.
“Someone who has the same ID wrote the year before me
and prevented me from receiving my results.
In 2020 I gave birth to a boy child, and I reached out
to Rea Tsotella, The Devi Show, and Checkpoint and did not get any response,” she
said tearfully.
Her child suffered because of not having a birth
certificate, making it challenging to enroll him in elementary school and for
her to secure employment.
“My parents are supportive, but life is hard, I have
been struggling for 8 years to get an ID,” she said.
Despite her efforts, Ayanda hadn't received any
assistance until she turned to TikTok users for help.
Days after sharing her video, Home Affairs contacted
her and issued her a new ID number.
She thanked social media and urged the media should also
assist people who have a similar issue to hers and hoped God would bless them.
“I'm going to school to further my studies and
hopefully she gets a job,” she concluded.
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| Ayanada Simelane :Picture from TikTok. |
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