Uyanda Mbuli is advancing Deaf rights in South Africa through policy reform, advocacy, and corporate inclusion. Uyanda Sibiya,
For nearly thirty years, Uyanda Mbuli, also known as Uyanda Sibiya, has been a consistent force in the South African social impact space, initially working with marginalised youth and now concentrating her efforts on the Deaf community. Her advocacy spans 28 years, during which she has worked to open doors for people who are often excluded from education, employment, healthcare, and full societal participation.
Currently serving as a Global Advocate for the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA), Mbuli represents 24 Deaf associations and community centres across the country. Her mission is to address the systemic exclusion of South Africa’s 4.4 million Deaf citizens by advocating for the full recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as an official language. She views SASL not as a luxury or an optional tool, but as a fundamental human right, vital for communication, safety, and dignity.
Advocacy becomes personal
Mbuli’s advocacy is practical and heartfelt. She generously donates to Deaf community programmes, funding skills development and outreach initiatives that aim to equip Deaf individuals with tools for self-reliance. Her work challenges common misconceptions, such as the idea that Deaf people are less capable or that inclusion is prohibitively costly, by providing solutions that are affordable and effective.
Before shifting her focus to Deaf rights, Mbuli founded the Uyanda Mbuli Youth Empowerment Project, through which she dedicated years to helping disadvantaged young people access education and employment opportunities. This early work laid the groundwork for her broader social mission of creating systems that enable lasting inclusion.
She now chairs the Uyanda Mbuli Corporation, working to integrate Corporate Social Investment (CSI) into core business strategies. For Mbuli, CSI is not charity but a growth instrument. She assists companies in moving beyond superficial diversity efforts to adopt tangible Deaf-inclusive policies, such as SASL training and accessible workplaces.
She is also deeply involved in policy formulation and ecosystem development. She advises organisations like Netball South Africa on legacy programme strategies and is forging strategic partnerships with technology companies to help integrate Deaf students into mainstream education through innovative communication tools.
Her leadership approach focuses on listening and collaboration. Alongside her work with SANDA, Mbuli is a board member of Save the Children South Africa, where she champions the rights of vulnerable children and fair access to opportunities. Her ultimate vision is a South Africa where Deaf people enjoy equal access to all aspects of life, including education, healthcare, employment, and community engagement.
