A proud Deaf graduate – Alfred Nxumalo radiating the joys of dream accomplished
Reporting from Nigeria
“I just became deaf! My Grandfather called my name, but I didn’t turn or move.... He was the first person that found out about my deafness.” These are the words of Siyanda Alfred Nxumalo, a 32-year-old youth from Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Nxumalo became Deaf at the age of three (no plausible explanation for cause). Beleaguered by the many dynamics of being Deaf in a society and education system that cares far too little attention about the rights and needs of Deaf individuals, it took family love and rugged determination for Nxumalo to survive the long, hard and lonely road to his dream of acquiring an education and living a successful life.
Nxumalo who recently graduated from the University of South Africa (UNISA), shares his experience as a former Deaf student in the predominantly hearing institution – the initial enthusiasm, the struggles, and the excitement of eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate and Senior Phase). He is currently registered with the South African Council for Educators.
Nxumalo said:
Nxumalo’s story provides hope and example to his South African Deaf community while drawing attention of society and the country’s government to be more sensitive towards providing a level playing field for Deaf South Africans – their rights and dreams!
Born in Stanger, Nxumalo grew up with both parents until they separated. He was then taken up by his grandmother. How he became deaf at the tender age of three remains puzzling.
He recalls:
Celebrating achievement with family: Alfred Nxumalo, flanked by his mother, Thandeka Confidence Ngwenya (left) and aunt, Silindile Loraine Mhlongo
Mother’s Love Fills the Gap
When deafness struck, Nxumalo’s mother worried how the future would turn out for his son. She however gave her best to provide all the love he needed to weather the storms of deafness.
Nxumalo who was also raised by his late grandmother tells his story with a special bias for both women:
“Throughout my years at UNISA, my late grandmother and my biological mother worked hard to support me. Because of them, I made it [to] graduation. Without them, I would have had struggled a lot. Looking back now, I can say it was worth it in the end [as I finally made it].”
Whilst NSFAS paid for his fees, both his mother and grandmother used their meagre SASSA grant to ensure there’s food on the table. Nxumalo’s disability grant helped where there was a shortage.
On the honors roll at Vuleka
When he was five, Nxumalo was enrolled at Vuleka School for the Deaf in Nkandla where he learned South African Sign Language (SASL). He completed matric with a bachelor pass at the same school in 2013. He was the top matric achiever with seven awards, among them the certificate for excellence.
“Plus, I got a special award stating that I got excellence academic performance, which I got from the uThungulu district. I was also awarded the certificate of Excellence in English,” said Nxumalo.
Nxumalo looked set for higher academic dreams. But not before some tough tests that tested his resilience and determination.
KZN University, Wits, UNISA
Brimming with ambition for a university education, the young man-made enquiries at different universities but was turned down.
He says the University of KwaZulu-Natal said they couldn’t take in a Deaf student as they didn’t have the facilities at the time. I felt discriminated. At Wits University which had a good number of Deaf students, Nxumalo’s application was rejected because he didn’t meet the required 30 points cut-off.
Was he despondent? Did he give up? No!
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
Looking back to those years, the now triumphant graduate recalls:
In 2015, the University of Free State (UFS) announced applications on the net and Nxumalo successfully applied. But when he heard of better prospects at UNISA he pulled out of the former for the later. The application was successful, and things looked hopeful at the beginning.
Dilemma and choice
In 2015, the University of Free State (UFS) announced applications on the net and Nxumalo successfully applied. But when he heard of better prospects at UNISA he pulled out of the former for the later. The application was successful, and things looked hopeful at the beginning.
Navigating hills and bends – all alone
“At UNISA, I met two Deaf students who also applied for the same course. [At first] people at UNISA treated me nicely. They even helped me with the application process when they saw my [great] matric certificate… I was over excited.”
But the euphoria was short-lived.
He says:
A proud Deaf qualified educator – Alfred Nxumalo says there’s no shame in his achievement.
As is the case with many Deaf students, English exams with its many oral based questions gave Nxumalo a tough time. He performed very poorly. When he lodged a formal complaint, the university administration intervened with a system to accommodate him. He was approved for the special disability exams that allowed students with disabilities some extra 30-60 minutes to complete their papers, amongst others.
A helpful move but it wasn’t the panacea for Nxumalo’s many problems.
Communication challenges with hearing mates during group discussions kept Nxumalo isolated. He felt abandoned. “Although tutors were sometimes helpful, they often fell short of my expectations.”
Nxumalo learned self-dependence during the years at UNISA. After enduring long, lone study hours with no sign language interpreters for two years he stopped going to classes, opting instead for online tutoring.
He remembers:
Amidst the frustrations and loneliness, Nxumalo looked around for the other Deaf students he met at UNISA when he first applied. Unfortunately, they were no longer there. He believes they probably had dropped out from frustration.
“Despite of all these things happening to me, I refused to give up. I finally graduated in the end.”
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Champions Stuff – on the honors roll
Embracing Deafness – Coping with discrimination
When asked how he managed to navigate the tough hills and bends both at UNISA and the broader society, his response reflects a teachable mind driven by determined ambition, a passion for education and keen sense for justice.
“I cope with discrimination by involving in the Deaf community, by looking to Deaf professional advisors who are familiar with discrimination. I was among the Deaf people [in South Africa] who fought against discrimination by celebrating the Deafness awareness month [to] empower deaf persons to stand strong.”
Nxumalo shares his favorite philosophy on deafness: "Deafness is not a limitation but a unique aspect of my identity that shapes my experiences and perspectives.”
He believes that Deaf individuals should embrace deafness. ‘Deafness is not a curse or something to be fixed,” says the Deaf future educator. Rather, he sees it as a blessing in disguise.
Nxumalo exudes dignity when he says: “I am a qualified Deaf educator, and I am very proud of it. There's no shame in my achievements.”
And having earned the right through his own struggles and consequent triumph, Nxumalo models to young Deaf people the virtues to be bold in speaking for rights to education, to not drop out of school and to seek for disability services and support.
