For 22 years, I have fought to have my four children recognised as South African citizens. As a single mother who chose vaccine-free home births, I have been met with immense challenges. Our current birth registration process effectively bars my children from obtaining the recognition they deserve, leaving them stateless and unable to pursue normal lives, like enrolling in studies or even getting married. This issue is not only mine; it affects countless families across South Africa.

Currently, the Department of Home Affairs mandates that a government-registered midwife be present at the time of birth for the child to be registered. This burdensome and often costly requirement discriminates against families who choose home birth for personal, health, or financial reasons and are unable or unwilling to afford a private midwife. The implications extend far into the future, affecting children as they mature and seek opportunities that require formal identification.

Homebirthed children have the right to South African citizenship as much as any other child born in a hospital setting. It is unjust to connect citizenship and rights to specific birth locales or medical interventions. Every parent should feel empowered to choose the best birthing option for their family without fearing bureaucratic obstacles that could deem their children stateless.

Revising the birth registration procedure can resolve this crisis. We propose a more inclusive approach that could include alternative documentation methods such as affidavits, medical records, or community verification in lieu of the presence of a registered midwife. This system would enable families to register their children promptly and legally, providing them with citizenship and all associated rights.

Let's act to amend this outdated system, ensuring that it reflects our constitutional values of equality, human dignity, and freedom. Join me in urging the South African Department of Home Affairs to prioritize reforms in the birth registration process, allowing for comprehensive and fair inclusion of all children, regardless of their birth circumstances.

Please sign this petition to ensure the recognition and registration of every South African child, allowing them a future free from unnecessary legal and social barriers. Together, we can take a stand for those rendered voiceless by systemic inefficiencies and prioritise justice and equality in our nation.