Growing up in the heart of Tembisa, Phomolong, 22-year-old Zaida Jacinto Ubisse never imagined her biggest academic hurdle would come after passing matric.
A Mozambican-born woman raised in South Africa, Zaida is a BCom Accounting Sciences student at the University of Pretoria, an achievement which came only after years of setbacks and silent battles few ever hear about.
“Despite passing well, participating in leadership activities and contributing to my community, I couldn’t register for university after matric. Not because of my grades, but because I didn’t have the right documents,” Zaida said.
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Like many children born outside SA but raised here, Zaida faced invisible but unyielding barriers. After completing her primary and high school education in the country she considers home, she found herself caught in a system that didn’t recognise her as one of its own.
Her dreams were put on hold because she was forced to repeat matric and navigate a confusing and often unforgiving legal process to resolve her documentation status.
“It took an emotional toll. It felt like all the work I had put in over the years didn’t matter because I didn’t have the right papers,” she admitted.
Zaida’s story is not unique.
Across the country, countless young people raised in SA as non-citizens find themselves blocked from accessing opportunities because of their immigration status, often through no fault of their own.
Many arrived in SA as children when their parents immigrated in search of better lives. Yet, they hit a wall when it comes to studying or seeking employment.
“A major issue is that there’s so little accessible information on what we can do,” Zaida explained.
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“Young people like me grow up in the dark, not knowing our rights or what steps to take. Many give up or continue to live on the margins.”
Determined not to be a silent statistic, Zaida pressed on.
Today, she’s studying toward her dream of becoming a chartered accountant, supported by a hard-won bursary.
She hopes to use her story to inspire others and offer practical help.
“I want to be a voice for the voiceless. If I share what I’ve been through, maybe someone struggling will feel less alone and know there is a way forward.”
Zaida’s message to young people navigating similar challenges is one of strength and self-belief.
“Your background doesn’t define your future. With support, information and determination, you can break through.”
