Londeka Phakathi is breaking new ground in the field of social work. As one of the few Deaf South Africans pursuing a professional qualification in this space, she’s not only working toward her own future , she’s helping to build a more inclusive, accessible support system for people in the Deaf community.
Now, with just one semester to go, her journey has been interrupted due to financial constraints.
Londeka is a final-year Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). She currently owes the university around R400,000 in tuition and accommodation fees. Without settling this amount, she will not be able to register for her final semester.
To continue her studies, she has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy and is calling on the public to help her cross the finish line.
“I’ve worked so hard to get to this point,” she says.
“But now I’m stuck. I’ve come so far , not just for myself, but for my community.”
Creating Space for Authentic Connection
Currently, Londeka is completing her student placement at DeafSA in the Western Cape, where she provides support to Deaf clients , particularly young people , who are navigating trauma, family conflict, and emotional challenges.
Her lived experience, she explains, allows for a deeper, more immediate connection.
“Even with interpreters doing incredible work, there’s something powerful about connecting with someone who communicates in your first language,” she explains.
“As a Deaf person, I can offer emotional understanding and cultural resonance that goes beyond words.”
Representation Matters
Londeka’s passion stems from her own experience growing up with limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate support.
“I often wished there were Deaf professionals who truly understood what I was going through,” she says.
“That’s who I want to be for others now.”
Her goal is to transform the social services and mental health sectors by helping to create spaces where Deaf people can receive care without barriers or misunderstanding.
Your Support Can Make a Difference
While her campaign has gained some attention, Londeka still needs significant support to return to campus. She’s calling on individuals, community organisations, and institutions to stand with her.
“Even R50 or R100 helps,” she says.
“What I need more than anything right now is someone to believe in this dream with me.”
Investing in Inclusive Futures
Londeka’s mission is guided by empathy and experience. She is committed to changing how support is offered to Deaf individuals ,not through charity, but through understanding, accessibility, and shared lived realities.
“I want to be the social worker I never had,” she says.
To support Londeka’s journey, contact her directly via WhatsApp: 063 561 8303
