The road hasn’t always been easy for Olona Zito, raising a child with a profound hearing impairment. But every hurdle has opened eyes and ears along the way, becoming a stepping stone toward a South Africa that is finally starting to address the different needs and abilities of all people.
Cape Town, South Africa (20 April 2026) – When Olona Zito gave birth to her daughter, nothing could have prepared her for how differently the world would sound for her.
“It took me a few months to realise that she was deaf… and I won’t lie, that moment broke me in ways I didn’t understand at the time. Accepting it was not easy. There were tears, questions, and so much fear of the unknown,” Olono shares vulnerably in a Facebook post.
Raising a child with a profound hearing impairment proved to be a journey filled with challenges and met with people who didn’t quite understand it. From struggles with basic communication between each other to being on waiting lists to secure the right schools and her daughter feeling outcast in spaces she deserved to shine – it was a difficult journey, but Olona never gave up.
“Through God’s grace and strength, I didn’t know I had, we kept going. Step by step, day by day. In South Africa, there are so few schools that truly cater for children like her, and that alone has been one of the hardest battles.”
But mirroring her mother’s resilience, Olona’s daughter didn’t fall through the cracks. She shone academically in the classroom and on the court as a talented netball player.
“She continues to prove, every single day, that her voice is not defined by sound.”
Although the journey has been filled with unexpected detours and hurdles, Olona remains deeply grateful for the steady progress and positive changes she has witnessed over the years. Progress reflected in inspiring stories like that of Mia Le Roux, who, despite being born with a hearing impairment, graced the Miss South Africa stage, wore the crown, and was celebrated by the nation.
“It touched something deep in me. It reminded me that the world is slowly learning to listen differently and that my daughter’s place in it matters,” Olona eloquently shares.
While raising a child with a disability has brought many challenges, she is grateful to see the world around her becoming more and more inclusive – celebrating and embracing different abilities rather than discriminating, prioritising inclusion over exclusion, and steadily improving access where there were once barriers.
“To every parent walking a similar journey, I see you. Keep going. Our children are worthy. Always,” Olona further encourages.
Her experience and testimony offer heartwarming hope for the direction our country is moving in, further reminding us to pause, show kindness, stay informed, and actively contribute towards that positive change.
Sources: Olona Zito
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