South Africa currently faces a significant unemployment challenge, with people with disabilities experiencing even greater difficulty finding work.
On the heels of Nelson Mandela International Day, a day dedicated to service and social justice, Tshiamo Keone, an organisation that specialises in career awareness development for people with special needs, held a Career Awareness Day for Deaf learners on Friday, July 19th 2024 at the Transoranje School for the Deaf. This impactful event, generously sponsored by MerSETA, was held in partnership with the Tyre Equipment, Parts Association, a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), AIDC, and Tshwane North TVET College.
The Career Awareness Day directly addresses this disparity, empowering these learners with the knowledge and resources to secure fulfilling careers. Their belief is “seeing beyond limitations – achieving extraordinary things”.
Anele Khunou, a director at Tshiamo Keone believes leaving talented individuals with disabilities on the sidelines is not just morally wrong, it’s economically crippling. These individuals possess valuable skills and perspectives that remain untapped, hindering innovation and economic growth. She says in South Africa 12.1 million people, more than a fifth of our population, have some form of hearing loss.
Fortunately, there are 44 schools, similar to Transoranje, who can assist these learners but Khunou says there are still massive challenges. “A large percentage of the deaf learners really struggle academically and fair better in the more technical and hands-on space.” To that extent, Transoranje for example would like to start moving towards that space, away from the academic curriculum. “Very few Deaf students actually finish their matric so they are better suited to a technical vocation.
“We were delighted and humbled to be part of this uplifting initiative,” says Vishal Premlall, national director of TEPA. “It ended up being more than just a career fair but also a chance for deaf learners to connect with a diverse range of career paths, showcasing the possibilities often hidden by communication barriers. Through interactive workshops, role-playing exercises, and engagement with professionals, deaf learners were given valuable tools and the confidence to thrive in the workplace. They could clearly see that a disability does not need to become an obstacle,” he says.
Khunou says the exposure was excellent for the students and appealed to other corporates to open their doors. “We really need to provide more opportunities to integrate these learners into our workforce without using academic qualification as a criteria for entry. This becomes a barrier for entry. Tight collaborations between Corporate SA, the schools and the SETAs could assist in creating a conducive environment to creating these spaces.” Transoranje Principal Leria Delport agrees saying, ‘My dream for every learner finishing school at Transoranje is to be equipped and ready to fulfil his or her duties as a citizen of South Africa. Not to be seen as disabled person, but to realise and develop their abilities.”
Premlall concludes, “There may be a perception that the motor industry requires mostly able-bodied people because of the manual labour required, however, there are exceptional people living with disabilities steering themselves up the career ladder, and inspiring others to do the same. I hope we were able to inspire hope and positivity in these young learners,” he concludes.