Sikelelwa Alex Msitshana is an extra-ordinary woman who is changing the lives of Deaf people. Picture Supplied.
As
millions of South Africans from all walks of life commemorate the annual Women’s
Day, today, 9 August, the Diary Series of Deaf People focusses on the
success of a proudly Deaf businesswoman who unceasingly opens doors of job and
entrepreneurship opportunities for many in the Deaf community.
Today,
marks 68 years since 20 000 women have marched
to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass laws that were enforced by the apartheid government. Unlike then,
the struggle faced by men and women in this era, is the high unemployment rate,
especially in the Deaf community.
Despite this major challenge of high unemployment rate in the country, Sikelelwa
Alex Msitshana, who was born 12 years after the significant 1956 march, has
successfully equipped the community with the right skills that has enabled them
to obtain decent jobs. The positions encompass Human Resources assistants, IT
trainees, administration clerks, data capturers, kitchen assistants, junior
chefs, and general labourers. Others are equipped with farming and
manufacturing entrepreneurial skills.
Through Deaf Empowerment Firm (DEF), an organisation that
Msitshana established in the same year she lost her hearing, 2015, she has changed the lives of 480
Deaf people. She has done so, by enrolling them into various training initiatives.
The purpose being to equip them with skills development that aid them to obtain
decent jobs after completion of their training.
She said the organisation offers
a variety of skills development programmes tailored for the Deaf community,
from digital literacy and software development to vocational training in
trades. She added that each programme is designed to be accessible, ensuring
that students not only learn but excel.
Msitshana said:
“Since its inception, DEF has
not only facilitated job placements but has also significantly expanded
opportunities for Deaf individuals through comprehensive skills development
programmes. To date, we have successfully enrolled over 480 candidates in various
training initiatives, equipping them with crucial skills that prepare them for
the workforce. While each of these training opportunities represents a step
towards empowerment, supporting families and strengthening communities, we
recognise that the journey does not end here,” said Msitshana.
But Msitshana added that “securing
permanent employment post-training remains a challenge, reflecting the broader
systemic barriers that still exist in the job market. Although not all
candidates have been absorbed into employment following their training, each
experience enhances their employability and contributes to breaking down
long-standing prejudices. We continue to advocate for and work towards greater
job absorption, aiming to transform these training opportunities into
sustainable employment for every Deaf individual we support.”
She
said through
initiatives like their Workplace Exposure Programme, where they have partnered
with forward-thinking organisations to showcase the abilities and potential of
Deaf candidates, they have seen a significant shift in employment attitudes.
She elaborated that the programme not only demonstrates the competencies of their
Deaf candidates in real-world settings but also helps dismantle doubts among
prospective employers.
“Following these work exposure programmes, many employers, now confident in the capabilities they’ve witnessed, have moved to permanently employ our candidates in diverse roles. Each placement is a step towards changing perceptions and proving the versatility and skill of Deaf professionals.”
About 480 lives have been transformed through Sikelelwa Alex Msitshana’s organisation, DEF. Picture Supplied.
“We have also trained our
candidates with aspirations in farming, in the skill of aquaponics farming and
are currently working towards establishing an aquaponics farming social
enterprise where they can receive more intensive training in this innovative farming
method and operate their own social enterprise.”
She said, “These entrepreneurial
efforts aim not only to provide sustainable income but also contribute to the
economy, reinforcing the profound impact of empowering Deaf individuals beyond
conventional employment.”
Although
she was born in Port
Elizabeth, currently Gqeberha, Msitshana moved to Soweto when she was still
very young.
Reflecting in her childhood days
in Soweto, the moments were “a juxtaposition of playful innocence and stark
social awakening. Engaging in gleeful ballroom and gumboot dancing with peers
at our local youth club, participating in the school choir, and debating team
were not just pastimes—they were vital to our social fabric, knitting together
communal bonds and cultural identity.”
She said these light-hearted moments were intertwined with the era's profound struggles, such as the June 16 uprisings, which disrupted their education and exposed them as the youth of that era to the harsh realities of apartheid.
Founder of Deaf Empowerment Firm (DEF), Sikelelwa Alex Msitshana. Picture Supplied.
“Living so close to these
pivotal events sparked an early awareness of social justice and the desire for
change, influencing my aspirations and molding my values without overshadowing
the simple joys of childhood. Rooted deeply in this rich soil of community and
challenge were the towering figures of the women in my family—each a testament
to strength and independence. My grandmother, a respected matron at Baragwanath
Hospital, and my mother, a strict but devoted single parent, were pivotal in
shaping my worldview.”
“Their resilience and unwavering
commitment to our family’s well-being taught me the power of women to lead and
inspire change. Along with my aunts, whose independence and fortitude were
equally influential, these women crafted a legacy of empowerment that has been
fundamental to my life’s work. These formative experiences laid the groundwork
for the person I would become, deeply committed to advocacy and empowerment—a
theme that would later define my professional and personal journey.”
She
concluded that, “At the youthful age of 56, I
find that each year adds not just age but grace, wisdom, and a dash of spirited
resilience. Age, after all, isn't just a number—it's a badge of honour for the
milestones achieved and the impact made, seasoned perfectly with experiences
that only time can provide.”
