Voiceout Deaf Farming Collective Provides Agricultural Skills and Employment for Deaf South Africans

At the Westonaria agricultural park near Bekkersdal, east of Johannesburg, farm workers are busy tilling the soil and planting tomatoes and lettuce. However, this bustling activity is accompanied by an unusual silence. Most of the workers here are deaf and communicate using sign language, as part of the Voiceout Deaf farming collective. Founded by entrepreneur Matebogo Victoria, who has a hearing disability herself, the collective aims to provide a platform for deaf people to gain agricultural skills and find sustainable work.

Victoria, who faced challenges as a deaf student at Tshwane University of Technology, recognized the difficulties deaf people face in accessing education and employment opportunities. “The government does not have facilities for communication (for deaf people),” Victoria explained, highlighting the barriers that prevent many deaf individuals from finishing school or pursuing a career.

Across South Africa, there are 44 schools for the deaf, but many are located far from students’ homes, making it difficult for families to afford transportation, leading to high dropout rates. In response to these challenges, Victoria left her corporate job at Standard Bank to create Voiceout, offering deaf individuals a chance to learn agricultural skills in an environment where they can communicate freely in sign language.

For workers like Sibongile Maake, the opportunity to work and learn on the farm has been life-changing. “I’m happy working here, it’s a pleasure working here in the farm. I can afford myself,” said Maake, who is now able to rely less on government welfare disability grants.

Another worker, John, expressed how vital the farm is for him. “Communication is always a barrier, so coming here at the farm is much better because they are able to communicate in my own language,” he said.

The Voiceout Deaf collective has grown, now managing multiple farms and supplying local supermarkets and chain stores with fresh produce. The project not only provides employment but also creates a sense of belonging for workers, offering a supportive environment where they can thrive.

As farming initiatives in provinces like Limpopo and North West expand, the sector is increasingly seen as a viable source of employment and training for people with disabilities in South Africa, helping to tackle the country’s high unemployment rates.