‘We have dreams': SA youth with intellectual disability seek jobs
Youth with intellectual disability face steep barriers to employment and support in South Africa. Yet, they are often forgotten in public discussions about unemployment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Having an intellectual disability (ID) limits a person's ability to learn and execute daily tasks. Roughly 4% of South Africans are affected by some level of ID, ranging from mild to profound.
According to the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH), ID continues to be one of the most overlooked disabilities in the country. While there are some opportunities available, people with ID want more support.
Stigma makes having a disability 'not nice'
Weekdays from 8am until 5pm, 28-year-old Zintle Sophangisa handles fabric that will become pants and jackets, and marks out where the pockets will be sewn. A fashionista from Nyanga in Cape Town, she is saving for a sewing machine, dreaming of starting her own clothing label.
However, arriving at this period of hope was a gruelling journey. Zintle's mild intellectual disability means she struggles to read and write. She often forgets things, like her bank PIN.
ADVERTISEMENT
Situations where other people are impatient (like in the queue for the ATM) heighten her anxiety and depression. She tells The South African:
'It's not nice to have a disability because of the judgment.'
South Africa has an Inclusive Education policy, but many children with disabilities are still not adequately supported in schools. Zintle recalls being endlessly teased at school because of her disability. Between that and struggling with academics, she left school during Grade 9.
Overcoming isolation in protective workshops
However, almost ten years later, Zintle was a mother, keen to earn a living. After hearing that local mental health organisation Cape Mental Health supported people with ID, she enrolled in their Training Unlimited Workshop (TWU) in early 2024.
In this protective workshop, people with disabilities can earn an income through tasks like beading or recycling metal. Trainees also learn work skills and how to cope with their disabilities.
Support measures for people with mild intellectual disability include:
Easy-to-Read , a system of symbols and simplified text, assists Zintle in understanding documents.
, a system of symbols and simplified text, assists Zintle in understanding documents. Voice-enabled apps help Zintle keep a diary and a to-do list.
help Zintle keep a diary and a to-do list. Voice notes on messaging apps allow Zintle to communicate without reading or writing.
Zintle now finds it easier to explain her disability and ask for support. She also feels a stronger sense of belonging.
Supported employment: Hope for youth with intellectual disability?
Persons with disabilities have a constitutional right to employment. However, a 2023 research paper indicates that most are jobless. Also, increased learnership enrollments have not improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Samantha Hendricks, Zintle's job coach at TWU Athlone, says employers are reluctant to hire people with disabilities. In 2024, 12 workshop trainees were placed in jobs. Of 171 trainees at TWU Athlone this year, she's placed eight so far by engaging with 12 employers.
'People think that we are lazy,' Zintle explains. However, with government funding, she completed a sewing course in 2024, which led to her current job in supported employment.
The 2016 White Paper on Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines supported employment as ongoing support, including job coaching, in integrated work settings. For Zintle, it also means her supervisor encouraging her to take breaks when she is very anxious.
Jobs for youth with intellectual disability are 'elusive'
Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya recently told Parliament that enforcing disability-related provisions of the Employment Equity Act is key. 13 state-run factories also employ over 1000 people with disabilities, aiming to reach 3000 by 2030.
However, Michel'le Donnelly, communications and awareness lead at SAFMH, which represents mental health organisations like Cape Mental Health, says:
'Employment in the open-labour market remains elusive for youth with ID.'
SAFMH recognises that the general youth unemployment rate of 46.1% makes it harder for youth with ID to find work outside protective workshops. However, it wants government to do more to encourage supported employment in the private sector.
Following dreams starts with support systems
The government disability grant tangibly supports over 1 million people. But Zintle stresses that the grant is not the answer:
'We can't just apply for SASSA. No, we have dreams.'
Zintle dreams of compiling her memoir and employing others with ID in her future fashion business. She encourages others with disabilities to seek support:
'It's hard for us to tell people that we want something, especially when you don't get the support, but people must try to speak out. Say, 'I want to do this. Can you support me to do this thing?''
What should be done to include youth with intellectual disabilities?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
‘We have dreams': SA youth with intellectual disability seek jobs
Youth with intellectual disability face steep barriers to employment and support in South Africa. Yet, they are often forgotten in public discussions about unemployment. ADVERTISEMENT Having an intellectual disability (ID) limits a person's ability to learn and execute daily tasks. Roughly 4% of South Africans are affected by some level of ID, ranging from mild to profound. According to the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH), ID continues to be one of the most overlooked disabilities in the country. While there are some opportunities available, people with ID want more support. Stigma makes having a disability 'not nice' Weekdays from 8am until 5pm, 28-year-old Zintle Sophangisa handles fabric that will become pants and jackets, and marks out where the pockets will be sewn. A fashionista from Nyanga in Cape Town, she is saving for a sewing machine, dreaming of starting her own clothing label. However, arriving at this period of hope was a gruelling journey. Zintle's mild intellectual disability means she struggles to read and write. She often forgets things, like her bank PIN. ADVERTISEMENT Situations where other people are impatient (like in the queue for the ATM) heighten her anxiety and depression. She tells The South African: 'It's not nice to have a disability because of the judgment.' South Africa has an Inclusive Education policy, but many children with disabilities are still not adequately supported in schools. Zintle recalls being endlessly teased at school because of her disability. Between that and struggling with academics, she left school during Grade 9. Overcoming isolation in protective workshops However, almost ten years later, Zintle was a mother, keen to earn a living. After hearing that local mental health organisation Cape Mental Health supported people with ID, she enrolled in their Training Unlimited Workshop (TWU) in early 2024. In this protective workshop, people with disabilities can earn an income through tasks like beading or recycling metal. Trainees also learn work skills and how to cope with their disabilities. Support measures for people with mild intellectual disability include: Easy-to-Read , a system of symbols and simplified text, assists Zintle in understanding documents. , a system of symbols and simplified text, assists Zintle in understanding documents. Voice-enabled apps help Zintle keep a diary and a to-do list. help Zintle keep a diary and a to-do list. Voice notes on messaging apps allow Zintle to communicate without reading or writing. Zintle now finds it easier to explain her disability and ask for support. She also feels a stronger sense of belonging. Supported employment: Hope for youth with intellectual disability? Persons with disabilities have a constitutional right to employment. However, a 2023 research paper indicates that most are jobless. Also, increased learnership enrollments have not improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Samantha Hendricks, Zintle's job coach at TWU Athlone, says employers are reluctant to hire people with disabilities. In 2024, 12 workshop trainees were placed in jobs. Of 171 trainees at TWU Athlone this year, she's placed eight so far by engaging with 12 employers. 'People think that we are lazy,' Zintle explains. However, with government funding, she completed a sewing course in 2024, which led to her current job in supported employment. The 2016 White Paper on Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines supported employment as ongoing support, including job coaching, in integrated work settings. For Zintle, it also means her supervisor encouraging her to take breaks when she is very anxious. Jobs for youth with intellectual disability are 'elusive' Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya recently told Parliament that enforcing disability-related provisions of the Employment Equity Act is key. 13 state-run factories also employ over 1000 people with disabilities, aiming to reach 3000 by 2030. However, Michel'le Donnelly, communications and awareness lead at SAFMH, which represents mental health organisations like Cape Mental Health, says: 'Employment in the open-labour market remains elusive for youth with ID.' SAFMH recognises that the general youth unemployment rate of 46.1% makes it harder for youth with ID to find work outside protective workshops. However, it wants government to do more to encourage supported employment in the private sector. Following dreams starts with support systems The government disability grant tangibly supports over 1 million people. But Zintle stresses that the grant is not the answer: 'We can't just apply for SASSA. No, we have dreams.' Zintle dreams of compiling her memoir and employing others with ID in her future fashion business. She encourages others with disabilities to seek support: 'It's hard for us to tell people that we want something, especially when you don't get the support, but people must try to speak out. Say, 'I want to do this. Can you support me to do this thing?'' What should be done to include youth with intellectual disabilities? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Cataracts explained: What they are and why you shouldn't ignore them
As we mark Cataract Awareness Month, it's a good time to bring our eye health back into focus because the truth is, cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness. Image: Şeyhmus Kino/pexels You'd be forgiven for thinking cataracts are an 'old person's problem'. After all, we often associate them with grey hair and reading glasses. But more South Africans are being diagnosed with cataracts much earlier in life and it's affecting how they live, work and drive, especially at night. So, what's going on? And do you always need surgery to fix it? As we mark Cataract Awareness Month, it's a good time to bring our eye health back into focus because the truth is, cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness, according to the World Health Organization, yet they're also one of the most treatable. What are cataracts, really? Simply put, cataracts happen when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, almost like someone smeared Vaseline on your glasses. Wesley Language, an optometrist from Execuspecs, explains, 'It's like looking through a foggy window. Over time, it distorts your vision, dulls colours and makes tasks like reading or recognising faces difficult. While age is a major risk factor, cataracts don't always wait for your 60s. In fact, younger South Africans, some in their 30s and 40s, are experiencing early-onset cataracts due to factors like: Diabetes Smoking Excessive sun exposure Eye injuries Family history 'There's a misconception that eye problems only start later in life,' says Language. "But by the time you're struggling to see at night or feeling like your glasses never work quite right, the cataract may already be advanced.' While age is a major risk factor, cataracts don't always wait for your 60s. Image: Karolina Grabowska/pexels How cataracts disrupt daily life The early symptoms of cataracts can be subtle slightly blurry vision, sensitivity to light, or colours looking a bit faded. But as they progress, they can seriously impact your quality of life. You might: Struggle to drive at night due to glare from headlights Avoid reading because the text feels too fuzzy Feel disconnected in social settings because faces aren't clear Experience frustration at work, especially in front of screens. This kind of slow, creeping vision loss can be isolating, especially for younger people who aren't prepared for it. Do you always need surgery? The good news is that not every cataract needs surgery right away. If caught early, your optometrist may recommend regular monitoring, stronger prescription lenses and lifestyle changes to slow progression. But when cataracts begin to interfere with daily functioning, such as when you're constantly squinting at your computer or feeling unsafe driving at night, surgery is often the best option. And thankfully, it's one of the most common and successful surgeries in the world. The cloudy lens is simply replaced with a clear artificial one, often restoring vision almost immediately.'It's a life-changing procedure,' says Language. 'Patients often don't realise how much they've adapted to poor vision until they see clearly again.' Can you prevent cataracts? not every cataract needs surgery right away. If caught early, your optometrist may recommend regular monitoring, stronger prescription lenses and lifestyle changes to slow progression. Image: Antoni Shkraba Studio /pexels
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Newspaper headlines from around the world - Friday, 20 June 2025
A bundle of newspapers on the table. Image: The South African/CANVA Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Friday, 20 June 2025. The New York Times front page reported that Iranians struck an Israeli hospital as the US sought to buy time. The Wall Street Journal front page reported that Iran's allied militias have chosen to lie low amid the Israel conflict. The Jerusalem Post's front page reported that Soroka Hospital suffered heavy damage from an Iranian missile. China Daily's front page reported that Xi said a ceasefire is a priority for restoring peace. The Daily Mail's front page reported that Jenrick said, 'I will vote no to assisted dying for my nana's sake.' The Guardian front page reported that the US has dropped charges against an LA protester accused of assaulting officers, calling it a huge relief. If you wish to stay up-to-date – for FREE – on the latest international and South African news, then bookmark The South African website for all that plus the latest in the world of finance, sport, lifestyle – and more. Did we mention it was 100% free to read …?
