Londeka Phakathi is breaking new ground in the world of social work. As one of the few deaf South Africans pursuing a professional qualification in this field, she is not only working towards her own future, but toward building a more inclusive support system for the deaf community. Now, with just one semester to go, her dreams are on hold due to financial constraints.
Londeka is a final-year Bachelor of Social Work student at UKZN. She currently owes the university about R400 000 in tuition and residence fees. Without settling this amount, she will not be able to return for her final semester. In a bid to raise funds, she has launched a campaign on BackaBuddy and is calling on the public for support.
“I’ve worked hard to get to this point,” she says. “But now I’m stuck. I’ve come so far, not just for myself, but for my community.”
She is currently working at DeafSA in the Western Cape as a student social worker, where she provides support to deaf clients, particularly young people navigating trauma, family struggles, and emotional challenges. Phakathi says being deaf allows her to connect with deaf clients. “Even with interpreters doing amazing work, there’s something powerful about connecting with someone who communicates in your first language,” she explains. “As a deaf person, I can offer that emotional resonance and cultural understanding.”
She explained that her own childhood was marked by a lack of support.
“I often wished there were deaf professionals who understood what I was going through,” she says. “That’s exactly who I now hope to become for others.”
While her campaign has started gaining attention, she still has a long way to go.
“Even R50 or R100 can make a difference,” she says. “What I need more than anything right now is support, someone to believe in what I’m trying to do.”
Phakathi’s mission is rooted in empathy and lived experience. Her goal is to reshape how deaf individuals are supported in the mental health and social services system.
“I want to be the social worker I never had,” she concludes.
To support Londeka’s journey, contact her directly on Whatsapp on 063 561 8303.
