At 28, deaf social worker Londeka Phakathi has already beaten the odds. Orphaned young and raised in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Today, she puts that degree to work at DeafSA’s Newlands office, advocating for the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf, hard-of-hearing and deafblind South Africans.
From Pietermaritzburg to purpose
Every weekday, Phakathi walks into the DeafSA Western Cape offices on the corner of Thicket and Hemlock Roads in Newlands. She does the work she once only dreamed of.
She lost both her parents at a young age. She is deaf. By most measures, the odds were stacked against her. Yet she pushed through and built a career dedicated to those who often go unseen.
“I have experienced many challenges in my own life and have seen how people can struggle without support,” said Phakathi. “Growing up without parents taught me resilience. It gave me a deep understanding of the difficulties many people face.”
Rather than let grief define her, Phakathi channelled it into purpose. She enrolled at UKZN and pushed through years of financial, emotional and academic pressure to earn her degree.
“It was an emotional and rewarding experience,” she said. “It represented years of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. There were times when I felt overwhelmed. But receiving my degree reminded me that determination and persistence can overcome many obstacles.”
Navigating university as a Deaf student
On campus, the challenges went beyond coursework. Limited interpreter support, communication gaps and the isolation of navigating a largely hearing environment made every semester a test of endurance.
“Accessing information during lectures and joining discussions was often difficult,” said Phakathi. “There were also situations where support services were simply not available.”
She credits family, friends and a handful of sympathetic lecturers for helping her stay the course.
Yet she is clear: individual goodwill should not be what deaf students rely on.
“Universities should create environments where deaf students can participate fully and equally,” she said. “That must apply to all aspects of university life.”
A Deaf Social Worker advocating for systemic change
Now working as a deaf social worker at DeafSA’s Newlands office, Phakathi supports individuals through psychosocial services, early intervention and job placement programmes. DeafSA is one of South Africa’s leading organisations advocating for the deaf community. Its Western Cape branch serves as a vital resource across.
Phakathi wants qualified South African Sign Language interpreters, captioning services and accessible learning materials to become standard in every South African university not an afterthought. More on language rights can be found through the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB).
Her message to young deaf people
Her message to young deaf people considering higher education is direct.
“Never allow your disability to limit your dreams,” said Phakathi. “Your voice matters and your dreams are valid. You are capable of achieving great things. Keep pushing forward and never give up.”
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