Zinzi Sibanda

Zinzi Sibanda is a 17 year old young carer from  Cardiff. Despite the daily challenges she faces, Zinzi has achieved academic success and is an award winning writer and talented photographer.

Since she was 12 years old Zinzi has helped care for her mother Donna who was diagnosed with autoimmune limbic encephalitis. She has juggled helping her mum with everyday tasks such as cleaning, shopping and cooking, with her schoolwork. She achieved straight A’s in her GCSE’s last summer and is now studying Chemistry, Biology and Maths A-Levels at St Cyres Comprehensive School in Penarth, with hopes of going on to study Chemistry at Oxford or Cambridge.

Zinzi is also a talented musician, photographer and writer. She recently won a Young Peace Writers Award from the Welsh Centre for International Affairs for her powerful essay on tackling the subject of racial equality and the struggle to achieve it. Three of her photographs are also on display in National Theatre Wales’ Mycelium Gallery.

Zinzi recently received a Young Carers Award in the National Black History Wales Youth Awards organised by Race Council Cymru in recognition of her achievements and her inspiration to young people.