Radiokop resident echoing selflessness in pursuit of Miss Deaf South Africa title

Given the right platform, the slightest action can reverberate deeper than a piercing sound.

Forced to overcome stereotypes daily and needing to prove herself with every interaction, Kereese Kuppan refuses to be ignored. Unable to hear since birth, the 25-year-old is making a stand for every person on the disability spectrum. A finalist in the Miss Deaf South Africa pageant, the multi-faceted dynamo is showing that sensory limitations are no hindrance on compassion.

Due to be held in September the Miss Deaf South Africa finals, which also includes Mr and Mrs categories, is a pageant that helps to remove any stigma around those who are hearing impaired.

Kereese has already shattered her restraints, stating “I was born deaf and I am very comfortable with myself. I think other people are uncomfortable though and it is a pity that we need to fight to fit in, fight to be employed or be accepted into our communities because let me tell you, people are not kind,” she stated.

While personal accolades would be a triumph, the greatest victory would be to open doors for others. “My inspiration for this pageant came from the fact that so many of us with disabilities have difficulties in the hearing world due to communication breakdown, but we must find a way around this so that we get equal opportunity. Differently abled persons are employable and need to work to support families. Solutions need to be found to balance the ratios of disabled people in the workplace,” she stressed.

Kereese may have ambitions of sashes and crowns but she has a love for the behind-the-scenes action too. She is an avid photographer who has studied at Johnathan Andrews College of Photography and Videography, being one of only two deaf students accepted to study.

“Photography is a big passion but does come with challenges when my client is hearing,” she elaborated.

Pageantry is a path that opens many doors and once Kereese has conquered the stage, humanitarian endeavours await. Passionate about dogs and children, she frequents the SPCA and youth shelters in her spare time. As well as being an avid hiker, she feels most at ease either with friends and family or out helping others.

“I would love to eventually own a huge photo studio, run a shelter for abused animals or a homeless shelter,” she beamed.

“If I am crowned I aim to use the title to create as much awareness as I can for deaf people or for any other disabilities for that matter. I aim to make a big noise about it and push forward hard. Living a silent life is not easy at all. People should try and switch off the sound on the TV and see how long they can last before giving up. Imagine our world is like that continuously. The same goes for being blind; imagine being in constant darkness,” motivated the budding beauty queen.

Kereese’s immediate focus is fighting to have flawed assumptions set straight and will do so through selflessness and a patient grace. Those who identify with Kereese’s mission can vote her to the top by SMSing MDS7 TO 47439 at a cost of R3 per vote.

Communication stems from inward desires and as Kereese roused, “Language should not be a barrier, it should be embraced”.