At the Westonaria agricultural park near Bekkersdal, East of Johannesburg, something remarkable is taking shape. Amid rows of tilled soil where fresh tomatoes and lettuce peek through, there's a noticeable quiet, but it's not due to the absence of work. Instead, this silence is filled with the movements of hands communicating through sign language, as deaf farm workers come together as part of the Voiceout Deaf farming collective.
This initiative, founded by Matebogo Victoria, aims to offer deaf individuals the chance to gain agricultural skills and achieve financial independence. With unemployment among the disabled community remaining alarmingly high, Victoria's endeavor seeks to create sustainable employment opportunities for those facing communication barriers.
Victoria, who herself has hearing challenges, started the Voiceout initiative with firsthand knowledge of the hurdles the deaf community faces. Drawing on her experiences studying at the Tshwane University of Technology, Victoria understood the importance of accessible education and employment opportunities for deaf individuals. "I make things simple for them; it is like family when they are here. They become very much happy when they are here, but when they go outside of this space, it becomes difficult for them," she explains.
With only 44 schools for the deaf scattered across South Africa, many deaf individuals do not receive the education needed to thrive. The schools often exist far from their homes, which can lead to students dropping out due to transportation costs. Many find it challenging to secure jobs, as sign language is not widely understood within most workplaces.
At Voiceout, workers like Sibongile Maake find the freedom to grow and learn without the barriers presented outside. "I’m happy working here; it’s (a) pleasure working here on the farm. I’m working slowly but surely, and I am learning whilst also getting a salary. I can do things for myself," she shares with joy, grateful for the opportunity to earn her living and reduce her reliance on government disability grants.
For many, including another worker who identifies as John, the project is transformative. "Communication is always a barrier, so coming here at the farm is much easier because they can communicate in my own language, so it makes life much easier for me," says John, whose spirits are lifted by the camaraderie of fellow workers.
The Voiceout Deaf farming collective doesn’t just stop at mere survival. It has expanded its operations to additional farms due to high demand for its produce. Not only do they supply local markets and supermarkets but the need for fresh, locally produced vegetables has paved the way for exciting growth within the initiative, offering more jobs and training possibilities for deaf individuals.
Victoria and her team work tirelessly, managing ten greenhouses where all sorts of produce flourish. Yet, beyond the physical labor, Victoria highlights the necessity for deaf individuals to understand the broader agricultural industry. "We need them (the deaf farmers) to think out of the box about agriculture. They need to be empowered to understand agriculture's role in the production of various products like toothpaste, perfumes, and medicines. We have to improvise and find ways to communicate with them simply," she insists, aiming for holistic growth.
Despite the project's evident success, challenges persist. The Pan South African Language Board works to create standards for sign language use across the nation. Recently, it achieved recognition for sign language as South Africa's 12th official language, yet Victoria notes there are significant hurdles to clear, especially as the business sector continuously evolves. "The difficulty is sign language hasn’t developed to cover all the technical jargon used across various sectors, including agriculture," she reveals with concern.
Back at Voiceout, the atmosphere buzzes with productivity, and as workers pluck ripe vegetables, the fruits of their labor resonate far beyond the fields. Each day, they are not just cultivating crops, but sowing seeds of empowerment and independence within their community, challenging barriers and redefining their place within the economy.
With this unique initiative, Victoria showcases the ability of disabled individuals to thrive when provided with the right resources and support. The story of Voiceout Deaf farming collective stands as not just a narrative of overcoming challenges, but as powerful evidence of how silent hands working together can contribute to louder movements for change.