In September, as we celebrate Deaf Awareness Month, Phumzile Mazibuko and Chef Lindokuhle Mashiane’s stories remind us that diversity enriches our world and that barriers can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Phumzile and Lindokuhle tread a unique path. Deaf from birth, their lives are a testament to resilience and determination as they’ve transcended the barriers to employment for the hard-of-hearing and deaf community.
Lindokuhle’s (29) food journey started at the Trans Oranje School for the Deaf, drawing inspiration from her family’s love for cooking and baking. Her odyssey led her to the ANEW Hotel Highveld in Witbank, where she’s now a pastry chef renowned for her delectable cakes and crunchy salads. Her gift lies in her extraordinary sense of smell, which enables her to discern even the subtlest nuances of flavours. “By just smelling a freshly baked treat, I can identify who in the kitchen made it. Once there was too much sugar in a malva pudding, and without tasting it, I alerted one of the bakers, and was proved right when we tasted it!”
The able-hearing kitchen may present challenges, but Lindokuhle’s supportive team makes it manageable. They communicate through lights, notes, and basic sign language, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Meanwhile, at the ANEW Hilton Hotel, Phumzile (38) enchants guests with her barista skills. Through a sign-language chart, she engages customers in the art of ordering, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. “My customers are great fun! They learn to sign for their coffees and those returning to our hotel, without looking at the board, will immediately let me know what they would like. They and my fellow colleagues are so supportive in trying to learn sign language and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
Phumzile’s love affair with coffee blossomed through the eDeaf Training Academy’s Ciro Barista course, and she finds immense joy in crafting coffee. “I fell in love with coffee! Early in my course, I realised that making coffee was something visual that I could easily learn the trade. Making lovely coffee art has become a passion for me. Seeing my customers’ smiling faces when they appreciate my creative touch brings me great joy.”
Both women defy misconceptions about disabilities. Lindokuhle asserts, “I can do anything anyone else can.” Her passion for her craft underscores the notion that one’s potential knows no bounds, irrespective of hearing impairment. Phumzile echoes the importance of increased visibility for deaf individuals in public-facing roles, which can break down social stigmas and promote understanding.
As they navigate their careers, Phumzile and Lindokuhle serve as beacons of empowerment and change. Lindokuhle dreams of becoming a sign language teacher, further enriching the lives of her colleagues, customers, and the broader deaf community.
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Adapted from a press release by Jigsaw Public Relations.
Feature image: Supplied
