In the quiet fields of Westonaria Agricultural Park, east of Johannesburg, a groundbreaking initiative is flourishing. Here, deaf individuals are planting not only crops but also seeds of empowerment and opportunity.
The Voiceout Deaf Farming Collective, led by entrepreneur Matebogo Victoria, offers deaf people a chance to develop agricultural skills and find sustainable employment. Victoria, who is deaf herself, established this haven after facing her own barriers in education and the workforce.
During her studies at Tshwane University of Technology, Victoria relied on a hearing partner to attend inaccessible classes. Her experiences highlighted the stark inequities faced by South Africa’s deaf community.
“The government does not have facilities for communication for deaf people,” Victoria explained. “Many leave school early because they cannot afford to travel far for education.”
In South Africa, there are 44 schools for the deaf, but they are often located far from students’ homes. Financial challenges lead many families to prioritize survival over education.
Victoria, a former corporate employee at Standard Bank, left her job to create Voiceout. She envisioned a supportive environment where deaf individuals could thrive without the communication barriers they face elsewhere.
“It feels like a family here,” she said. “They’re happy on the farm, but outside, life becomes a struggle again.”
For workers like Sibongile Maake, the project has been transformative. Maake, who previously relied on government disability grants, now earns a living while learning invaluable agricultural skills.
“I’m happy working here,” Maake said. “I’m learning, earning, and finally able to afford things for myself.”
This silent but vibrant farming project is more than an agricultural effort—it’s a lifeline for South Africa’s marginalized deaf community.
