I'm Karolyn Mujinga. I'm 18 years old. I was born at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town in 2003 to Refugee Parents. I've spent my whole life in South Africa. South Africa is the only home I have ever known. I am now in Matric and one of two Deputy Head Prefects at Kensington High School but I am unable to apply for National Benchmark Test (NBT) or University because I do not have an ID.

I need your help with signing my petition to make sure my voice is heard!

I cannot apply for Citizenship because the Immigration section at the Department of Home Affairs is closed due to Covid-19 Lockdown Regulations. Without an ID, I cannot apply for University, NBTs, bursaries or even get my Matric Results.

With my petition I am calling on the Department of Home Affairs to create a Citizenship Helpline or provision for South African Born refugees in South Africa to be able to apply for citizenship application, so that I and many others like me can have equal opportunities as South African Matriculants.

• In the year 2014, Home Affairs set up a Matric ID helpline. This was to expedite ID applications so that those in matric could receive their ID in time for their exams. Similar to this year only matric learners will be able to apply for Smart IDs under the current lockdown level.
• This year, Home Affairs only made Provision for South Africans to apply for their ID not Undocumented South African BORN Refugees who’ve waited until they turned 18 (Which is a requirement) to apply for Citizenship. In fact the Immigration section at Home Affairs is closed due to Covid-19 Lockdown Regulations.
• This complete disregard leaves many in my place in limbo. Every matric learner in South Africa should be accommodated? Our right to Education is equal to those of South Africans.
• Those who are undocumented and waited till Matric to get their papers are equal to South Africans who could have applied at the age of 16 yet waited to apply in Matric. I am asking us to be treated as equal. Why is it then, only South African Matric Learners have been accommodated?Our Right to Education is being Violated.
• No provision or helpline is created for us during the lockdown? We just have to wait until Covid-19 disappears to be accommodated?

I am asking for a Matric ID/Citizenship helpline to be created in order to expedite our applications so that we can also get our ID's in time for our exams and in time to apply for NBT and University.  

I call for your help! 

Yours in Struggle

Karolyn Mujinga 

IG: karolyn.mujinga