#ICYMI: Coffee perfection leads to a happy life
FOURWAYS – Thabo Albert Mokhele, the deaf barista, tells his inspirational tale.
Thabo Albert Mokhele (39) is a successful barista who enjoys a successful coffee career even after losing his hearing at the age of eight.
Mokhele grew up in Welkom and when he lost both of his parents he moved to Johannesburg to find work.
At that stage he had no idea what he wanted to do, especially since communication with hearing people was a real challenge.
When the opportunity arose for Mokhele to be trained as a professional coffee barista, he jumped at the chance.
He completed an intensive barista training course at the Ciro Coffee Academy in partnership with retail group Spar and Lavazza. He was then employed at a Spar Bean Tree Café where he has served coffee ever since.
Mokhele said working in the service industry as a deaf person is not easier or harder than being a hearing person; it is simply more interesting. He admits that while he sometimes struggles to express himself, he uses every method he can to get his message across: sign language, finger spelling or lip reading.
Mokhele describes himself as a humble man who respects everyone and he loves nothing more than serving a hot cup of coffee made with love and accuracy.
He explained that if he had only one barista trick to share with ardent coffee drinkers it would be that, “it’s all about accuracy; whether you’re a hearing person or a deaf person.”
He hoped to one day brew the perfect cup for veteran radio jock Bob Mabena, whom Mokhele admires for his great humility.
Working as a barista, he realised that perseverance pays off when you believe in yourself and accept who you are.
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