Qari Ziyaad Patel was born in Ladysmith, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. His early school years spanned across various schools where he took up many leadership roles and was the key in initiating many structures for learners at the particular schools in the region. During this period he was elected chairman of the Representative Council of Learners, was also a member of the Youth sector of the Schools governing body and was an executive member of the African National Congress Youth League, Ladysmith region.