Durban - South Africa’s deaf community who are often overlooked for jobs in the formal sector, have been given a huge boost by the Shoprite Group.
Over the past seven years, Shoprite has given more than 700 deaf people the opportunity to complete a National Qualification Framework (NQF) in wholesale and retail chain management.
Upon completion, most of those who complete the course are offered jobs at Shoprite.
“There are an estimated 500 000 deaf people living in South Africa, and many are unemployed,” said Callie Burger, Human Resources Director of the Shoprite Group.
“So, for most of these deaf learners, after completing the course and coming to work for Shoprite, it is their first entry into the workplace,” she said.
“But it is an honour to welcome such proud and enthusiastic individuals into the group’s employ,” she said.
Tobias Shozi, 30, from Klaarwater, near Pinetown, a recipient of the Shoprite bursary, said he had looked for a job for eight years – without luck.
However, after completing the one-year learnership course at the Fulton School for the Deaf, Shozi was guaranteed a permanent job at a Shoprite store.
“The training was great because it was all done in South African Sign Language. After a year I graduated and was offered a permanent position at Shoprite Chatsworth,” he said.
“I work in the bakery and I love my job. I’m confident when interacting with customers. I’m not shy. I’m a capable, confident person who just happens to speak another language, that is all,” he said.
Shozi, who was born deaf, said having a permanent job was a dream come true.
At the store in Chatsworth, the lively father of one exuded confidence and greeted each customer with a huge smile.
At times his disability causes a communication barrier between him and the customers or staff.
“I have difficulty sometimes communicating with the staff, as they do not understand, but so far communication has improved since the staff now also learns sign language,” said Shozi.
Shoprite assistant manager in Chatsworth, Jayindree Reddy, said: “Shozi is a lovely person who is customer friendly and good at what he does.”