Recent Wits graduate and Miss Deaf South Africa 2024, Lisa Msiza, hopes to leave behind a legacy of empowerment and inclusivity.
“I want to show that deaf individuals can achieve anything they set their minds to and that our voices deserve to be heard in all spaces. I aim to inspire future generations to believe in themselves, advocate for their rights, and pursue their dreams without fear of limitation. Through education and advocacy, I hope to create a more inclusive world for the deaf community and beyond,” she said.
The 25-year-old who graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Deaf Education last month, said she was inspired to pursue higher education because of her deep passion for becoming a deaf teacher and making a positive effect on the deaf community.
Growing up she realised the importance of quality education and the need for more deaf educators who can relate to the experiences of deaf students.
“Despite the challenges of being the only deaf student in a predominantly hearing environment, I was motivated by my desire to break barriers and create more opportunities for others like me. The obstacles only made me more determined to succeed, as I knew that through education, I could contribute to a better future for the deaf community,” she said.
She describes her journey at Wits as the best memory of her life because the education provided was the ideal environment for her, as she wanted to become a deaf teacher at a deaf school.
“I wish I could continue my studies, but the duration of my programme was only one year to complete this qualification. However, I will return to further my studies because I have met some amazing interpreters. My challenges included being the only deaf student in a largely hearing world, which made it difficult to make new friends. I did manage to make a few friends at Wits, and I was able to adapt to both the deaf and hearing worlds.”
She said her family was a significant source of encouragement and motivation throughout her journey.
Further, Msiza said the university’s inclusive environment made a huge difference.
“I truly appreciated how they tailored their support to meet my needs as a deaf student.”
She said her decision to enter the Miss Deaf South Africa pageant was driven by her desire to challenge perceptions and break stereotypes about deaf individuals.
“I wanted to show that being deaf doesn’t limit one's ability to achieve great things and that we also can be strong, confident and successful leaders. The pageant also gave me a platform to raise awareness about issues that affect the deaf community and to inspire other deaf individuals to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.”
Msiza won the 2024 title and said this was meaningful to her on a personal level.
“It was not just a recognition of my achievements, but a celebration of the deaf community as a whole. It affirmed that we have a voice and deserve to be seen and heard in all spaces. Personally, it filled me with pride and reinforced my commitment to being a positive role model for others. The title gave me a stronger platform to continue advocating for deaf rights and education, and I hope to inspire others to believe in themselves and their potential, no matter what challenges life presents.”
Though balancing academics and pageantry was a challenge, she said it was also incredibly rewarding.
She notes that they both require a lot of dedication, focus and time management.
“I was able to make it work because I was passionate about both. In academics, I was focused on my studies and my future as a deaf educator, while pageantry allowed me to use my platform to raise awareness and advocate for the deaf community. To balance the two, I had to be very organised. I created a strict schedule that allowed me to allocate time for my studies, training and participation in pageant events.”
“My ability to prioritise tasks and stay disciplined played a big role in managing both worlds. Also, the support I received from my family, friends and the Miss Deaf South Africa team was crucial. They understood the importance of my education and helped me stay grounded throughout the pageant process. Being able to pursue both paths allowed me to grow not only as a student and advocate but also as a person, and it taught me valuable lessons in time management, resilience and perseverance.”
Through her platform, she hopes to send a powerful message to other young deaf women.
“You are capable, you are worthy, and your dreams are valid. Too often, society underestimates the potential of deaf individuals, especially women, but I want to show that we can achieve anything we set our minds to. I also hope to encourage a sense of community — knowing that we’re not alone and that we can support one another in our journeys. Ultimately I want them to know that they have a voice, they can make a difference, and they deserve to be seen and heard in every space they occupy.”
One of the most significant barriers she recalls facing was being the only deaf student in a predominantly hearing environment. She acknowledged that communication was often challenging in many academic and social settings and that there were moments when she felt isolated.
“It wasn’t always easy to navigate a world that wasn’t designed with my needs in mind.”
She also acknowledges that there were moments of self-doubt throughout her journey, both in academics and in the pageant world.
“There were times when I questioned if I could balance everything or if I was truly capable of succeeding in environments that weren’t always fully accessible or understanding of my needs as a deaf individual. In the pageant world, I sometimes wondered if I belonged or if I was making the right choice by stepping into a space that traditionally had limited representation of people like me. But what kept me going was my passion for the goals I had set for myself and the belief that every challenge was an opportunity to grow.”
According to Msiza, navigating spaces that are not always inclusive or accessible has been a challenge, but she has learnt to be proactive and assertive in ensuring my needs are met.
“My journey has shown me that while spaces may not always be designed for us, we can still make them work and create change for those who come after us.”
Msiza said her greatest source of inspiration throughout my journey has been the deaf community itself.
Meanwhile, Msiza is seeking sponsorship of about R40,000 to support her journey to the Miss + Mister Deaf Universe competition in Batumi, Georgia, on October 9 to 21. The sponsorship is to cover, flights and travel insurance, among other things.
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