Shamim grew up in Durban and was politically conscientised by her parents, who were both political activists. Their experiences, such as when her father was involved in the Treason Trial in 1956, along with Mandela and others, when she was only 3 years old, contributed to her growing awareness. She was deeply involved in Black Consciousness movement-inspired community development projects as well as the early feminist movement in the pioneering years of the 1970s.