Sonjé Malpas: Immigration woes come to end with citizenship ceremony in Alice Springs

A South African expat says she experienced a “pinch myself” moment when she finally obtained her Australian citizenship in the Red Centre, ending 15 years of immigration battles.

South African-born Sonje Malpas with her husband Joshua and children Everleigh and Ethan, alongside Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Matt Paterson and Namatjira MLA Bill Yan. Picture: Supplied

A South African expat says she experienced a “pinch myself” moment when she finally obtained her Australian citizenship in the Red Centre, ending 15 years of immigration battles.

Sonjé Malpas was one of 38 expats who received their Australian citizenship at a ceremony in Alice Springs on Friday, September 13, at a ceremony which welcomed new Australians from all over the world.

South African-born Sonjé Malpas became an Australian citizen in Alice Springs on Friday, September 13, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Coming to Australia in 2004, Mrs Malpas said obtaining citizenship has been a long journey for herself and her family.

“We’ve spent so long in this fight to be able to stay in Australia … it’s been 15 years of immigration battles, all the way up to getting ministerial intervention for both my parents and me on different appeals,” she said.

“I’ve had multiple times where I’ve gotten a letter to say I’ve got 28 days to leave the country.”

With her parents receiving their citizenship in 2014, Mrs Malpas said she was the last one in the family.

And while it was a joyful day for her, she said it was tinged with a hint of melancholy – as her family couldn’t be there to join her.

“I had a moment where I had to ask my husband to bring me a tissue, because the significance of being there and also not having my family that knows the struggles that we’ve been through to actually get to this point … it was quite emotional for me,” she said.

Joining Mrs Malpas were other expats from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Matt Paterson said the ceremony was a “reflection of what is great about our community”.

“People from all different backgrounds and cultures coming together in celebration, that makes me incredibly proud to be a Centralian,” he said.