Dear Leon
I am currently twenty two years old and I have a baby son that turned one recently . My story needs to be told and I need help as urgently as possible . I am a south African citizen born in Frangfort Free State and I was raised in the Western Cape.

My birth has never been registered by my mother . Her ID got stolen years back and this person went and married her without her knowledge . She has a police clearance that states she doesn't know this person and issued a divorce which never finalised . My mom married my father but their marriage isn't valid . They have a marriage certificate that shows otherwise. My mom passed away in 2020 and on her death certificate it states that she is divorced but her surname is still this Mohammed that married her . My father tried to register me multiple times but none of the papers we have is valid because of this marriage mix up . I couldn't complete school, I only have grade 9 and I can't get a job without my papers . This is very unfair to me and I can't register my baby as well or provide him the life he deserves. We have been struggling to get my ID since my mom passed away and I don't know which direction to go anymore . I have every document home affairs wanted but because of their fault in marrying a woman without her consent I am struggling now. Please help me because my hands are tied and my life is on pause .