Good employers exist. Arnold is a waiter who has been living with serious hearing loss for years. His bosses, Otto and Sean, worked with hearing specialists in Cape Town for months to get him fitted with hearing aids!
Cape Town, South Africa (26 October 2026) – A restaurant’s incredible support for its beloved waiter, Arnold, is like music to our ears.
Cattle Baron in Blouberg recently took to social media to celebrate a special occasion with its followers. Arnold, a waiter who has worked at the establishment for just over two years, can hear them again!
“Arnold has been part of our Cattle Baron family since we reopened our doors in March 2024, and he’s become a firm favourite with our guests thanks to his warm personality, infectious charm and wonderful attitude.” the restaurant shares.
“But behind that friendly smile, Arnold has been facing a challenge that many people didn’t know about.”
Arnold’s battle was becoming harder and harder to hide. He was losing his hearing. It was becoming an incredibly difficult thing to manage.
“Arnold has struggled with significant hearing loss, which has progressively worsened, making everyday conversations and taking customers’ orders increasingly difficult. And let’s face it, being a waiter when you can’t hear what your customers are ordering is no easy task!”
Taking orders became harder. Following conversations became harder. Even the simple moments many of us take for granted, like hearing the voices of the people around us, were becoming more difficult.
So the people around him decided they wanted to do something. They wanted Arnold to hear again.
And so, over the past three months, his employers worked with hearing specialists in Cape Town to do something incredible.
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Yesterday was the day it all paid off…because Arnold can hear again.
“And the difference is absolutely incredible! His confidence has soared, his smile is even bigger, and he’s like a new man.” the restaurant shares.
The impact this will have on Arnold’s quality of life is huge, and goes way beyond his work. Yes, he’ll be better at his job, but he can now follow a conversation properly, and connect with the people around him.
His employers are also enjoying a small bonus. They can call his name and he’ll hear them!
“Well, we’re just delighted that our favourite guy can now hear us when we call him!” the restaurant jokes lightheartedly. “Although Arnold, we’re onto you now… no more pretending you didn’t hear the boss!”
In the photo above, Arnold stands between Otto and Sean, and you can see how proud they all are.
Good employers can change everything. The word ‘boss’ is one that many of us, at some stage in life, have not said kindly. Because of an employer who saw you just as a number, a shift or a problem to manage. But there are ‘bosses’ out there who are the complete opposite. They are genuinely compassionate, decent people who see a human being first. Otto and Sean are those kinds of people.
Be the person who notices when someone on your team is struggling, and then does something about it. When people feel looked after at work, they carry that feeling home with them. They carry it into the next table, the next conversation, the next guest who walks through the door. It will show in everything they do.
“Arnold, we’re incredibly proud of you, and we couldn’t be happier for you!” the restaurant shares.
To Otto and Sean, and to every employer out there who treats their people like family…thank you. You make the world a little lighter. That is what taking care of your people looks like.
by 
