Who Is Rafeeqah Bishop?
A Journey From Pretoria Classrooms to the Heart of Europa Park
Some young people dream quietly; others step boldly into opportunities that most would hesitate to take. And then there’s Rafeeqah Bishop — a young South African whose story blends humility, ambition, and pure determination. From being a shy but hardworking student in Pretoria to now building a career in Germany’s biggest theme park, Rafeeqah represents what happens when you grab opportunities, push yourself beyond comfort, and trust the process even when the path isn’t fully clear.
This is her story.
Who is Rafeeqah Bishop?
“It’s a tough question — I’m still figuring myself out,” she says with a soft laugh.
For now, she describes herself as ambitious, soft-spoken, loyal, friendly, trusting, hardworking, and incredibly goal-driven.
What was your upbringing like?
“My upbringing was fairly good. I didn’t struggle for much. My parents did what they needed to do to give me every opportunity they could with what they had — and I’m grateful for that.”
You attended Deutsche Schule Pretoria. How did that happen?
DSP has partnerships with various public schools in the region, including Rafeeqah’s school, Piers Fourie Primary.
In Grade 4, DSP hosted Saturday school for top-performing learners. After that, the Grade 4s wrote a test, and those with strong results received scholarships to attend DSP.
Rafeeqah was one of them.
How did your parents react when you got the scholarship?
“They were excited and very happy for me, but they also had to think about finances. Even though the scholarship covered 60%, the remaining 20% was still a lot for my parents. But they made it work.”
How was your schooling experience at DSP?
“Way better than public school — a huge difference. In public school, the classes were overcrowded and there was a lot of bullying. At DSP, we had one teacher for every 20 students, so you got help when you needed it. That extra support goes a long way.”
What else did DSP offer you?
“DSP offered many exchange programs between South Africa and Germany — both paid and fully funded. I worked hard for the funded one. All I had to do was get good marks in the test, and I got the opportunity to visit Germany.”
How did you learn about Europa-Park?
“In Grade 12, DSP hosted a Career Day where German companies like BMW, Siemens, and VW came to show us job opportunities. Europa-Park was also there, explaining how we could work at Germany’s biggest theme park.”
What made you consider Europa-Park?
“I was confused at first — I wanted to go to university, but I also didn’t feel ready. The benefits of Europa-Park made sense: you can study, work, earn a salary, and explore Europe. And considering how hard it can be to find a job even after getting a degree, this was a practical and exciting choice.”
What made Europa-Park consider you?
“I think it was that I was willing to push myself with German. In my interview, the first question was: ‘Englisch oder Deutsch?’ And I chose German. They appreciated that. They saw I could start, hold, and finish a conversation confidently. Language gave me a huge advantage.”
You’re now in Germany doing a Dialogue Marketing Ausbildung. In your own words, what is Dialogue Marketing?
“It’s basically anything that involves interacting with guests — in person or over the phone. It’s similar to customer service in South Africa, but with more responsibility and, of course, in German.”
What are your plans after you graduate?
“It depends on what the future holds. I’d like to continue working at Europa-Park for a while and maybe explore other companies to grow and gain new experiences. Or I might return home and study at university. I’m staying open.”
What message do you have for youth looking for opportunities?
“Take any opportunity you can get and make something out of it. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Even if it’s tough, push through — someone out there wishes they had the opportunity you’re struggling with. Nothing in life is easy. So take the chance and turn it into something. Period.”
A Story of Courage, Opportunity, and Choosing Growth
Rafeeqah’s journey is proof that you don’t need to have life figured out to take the next step. You just need courage, consistency, and the willingness to learn. Her story is a reminder that opportunities don’t always show up neatly packaged — sometimes they appear as challenges, hard decisions, or moments of uncertainty.
But when you choose growth over fear, your life opens up.
From Pretoria to Europa-Park, Rafeeqah’s path shows that South African youth can step boldly onto global stages — and shine.
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