By Olivia Perotti | Consultant Attorney
At the age of 42, Natalie Jill Rabie approached her legal professionals with a heartfelt plea - one that would mark the beginning of a long overdue fight for recognition. Born in Zimbabwe to South African parents, Natalie moved to South Africa shortly after birth in 1984, where she has lived ever since. Despite her deep roots in the country and being the daughter of two South African citizens, she faced a decades-long struggle with the Department of Home Affairs, who refused to acknowledge her rightful citizenship.
Instead of being registered as a South African citizen at birth, Natalie was forced to apply for permanent residence. The situation became even more dire when her original permanent residence certificate was misplaced. In the absence of this document, Home Affairs officials repeatedly denied her attempts to apply for South African citizenship, claiming she could not prove her residency status - despite her heritage and decades of residence.
Frustrated, emotionally drained, and nearing her breaking point, Natalie turned to attorney Olivia Perotti of Thomson Wilks for assistance. Olivia promptly advised her on the documentation needed and took swift legal action by approaching the High Court in Pretoria.
The court recognised the injustice Natalie had endured and granted an order declaring her a South African citizen by descent. It further directed that her birth be registered accordingly. Following the court’s order, Natalie finally received her South African ID and, on 05 September 2025, after more than 40 years of waiting, she was issued her very first South African passport.
Now 43 years old, Natalie Hill Rabie stands proudly as a recognised South African citizen. For the first time in her life, she holds the official documentation to prove her identity and the freedom to travel beyond the borders of the country she has always called home.
Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of access to justice. Thanks to the determined efforts of Olivia Perotti and the legal system, Natalie’s identity and rights have finally been restored.
