Fikile Mwelase is a Beauty Therapist who has dyslexia, also known as a reading disability. Dyslexia is a disorder that makes it hard for people to read and write. It is not an intellectual problem because people who have it are often smart just like Fikile. They succeed in school through a specialised education programme and extra tutoring.
There is not a lot of awareness and attention given to dyslexic kids in schools, homes, and communities. Fikile says that most parents and some teachers do not recognise or understand it. Instead, they insult and mock the kids, calling them names and throwing accusations such as having a liking to boys/girls rather than books.
“Kids with dyslexia tend to make excuses when it comes to reading and writing. If the parent is not invested or aware, then they cannot tell that the child is struggling. We like to make friends with smart people who will help us with work in exchange for our skills like drawing. But it doesn’t help when you are alone and have to do the work by yourself,” she says.
Her mother noticed that she was struggling with reading and writing then took her to Nemdula house at Lesedi Clinic in Soweto where she was assessed. Even though the assessment went well, Fikile wishes that it would have been done in such a way that they would go deeper into trying to understand the root of the problem. She acknowledges that her condition is not that severe because she can read and make sense of simple words. However, when in a test she would take close to an hour trying to remember how a certain word was spelt.
“Some kids are born with dyslexia and others get it from situations that affect them such as abuse. I used to be sharp at school, but my parents used to fight a lot in my presence, and it affected me psychologically. We have a lot of dropouts beginning from primary school because they feel useless, and it is mostly validated by people at home and school telling them how useless they are.”
Fikile was then admitted at Goudveld Skills School after the doctor’s recommendation. She says that the school she attended prior to the one recommended to her had good teachers and she appreciates the effort they put into helping her, “teachers carried a lot back then, but they helped a lot, unfortunately they couldn’t always be there for me.”
She developed a love for beauty and pursued it at college. Like most people with her condition, she had doubts, but she persevered and now owns a salon dealing with manicure and pedicure. “Going to college, I had self-doubt, I feared that I would meet smart people from expensive schools who would look down on me. I was lucky to get people who understood my condition and I succeeded.”
Sometimes it is difficult when it comes to visiting institutions like banks where one is required to read or write. She sometimes finds it annoying to explain her condition because people can be judgemental, and often don’t know what dyslexia is. Having to explain it to them is a challenge especially if a person is ignorant and not open to learning. “I always run away from something that requires writing. Now with the help of AI and voice notes, I find it easier to do my work and communicate. People think I know how to write.”
To help raise awareness on dyslexia, Fikile would like to open an NGO where she will have talks at schools and communities. She also wishes to help children with dyslexia and clear the stigma they carry when they cannot read or write. She believes that there is more they can do with their hands and make a difference in the community.
In conclusion she said, “I want everyone to know that people with dyslexia are very smart and they should be respected.”