Last year, Letaba Herald wrote a story about an 18-year-old yong man, Simphiwe Kalipa Jamle, whose life was at a standstill after waiting almost two years for a birth certificate.

The young man could not register at a university or get a job because he didn’t have a certificate.

The good news is that after the story was published, a number of people intervened and tried assisting Simphiwe including Desireé Van der Walt, member of parliament of the Democratic Alliance.

Also read: Home Affairs fails young man

Van der Walt forwarded the story to the portfolio committee member in parliament, Adrian Christopher Roos, who also assisted.

In December he eventually received his birth certificate and he is now excited about his future.

Also read: TZANEEN: Home Affairs horrors

Nico Hlungwani, a blind man who is passionate about helping others took Simphiwe under his wing and supported him during his ordeal.

The young man passed words of gratitude to the Herald for the assistance and to all people who assisted him in different ways, after learning about his story.