Disability does not inhibit her ability
ALEXANDRA - McDonald’s fosters a close-knit community among its staff and this is something Phumeza Qhwesha values as an employee.
Fast food chain McDonald’s fosters close-knit relationships among its staff and this is something Phumeza Qhwesha from Alexandra values as an employee.
The 27-year-old who is physically challenged, is trained in skills that have allowed her to be an invaluable employee at McDonald’s Woodmead restaurant for the past three years.
After finishing her schooling, Qhwesha attended Living Link College for physically challenged people and there she learned basic life skills. When she completed the one-year course she went on to work for a catering company at a clinic in northern Johannesburg.
“I wasn’t really happy working there because I didn’t have the opportunity to interact with people and that is what I love most about working at McDonald’s,” she said. Qhwesha enjoys being a part-time crew member and would like to work her way to the training division at head office where she can train the crew on how to interact with people with physical challenges.
“People need to be educated on how to interact with people who have challenges because it can be hurtful and frustrating when people don’t understand your situation and push you aside,” Qhwesha said.
Although her physical challenges have played a big role in shaping who she is as a woman, Qhwesha had a loving and supportive family structure growing up. “I’ve lived with my cousin and aunt in Alexandra since I was young and they provided me with a normal upbringing.
“Of course children use to tease me but I believe that my physical challenges are much better now.” She is a self-proclaimed chatterbox and said that has gotten her into trouble on numerous times as a child and as an adult.
She has found a second home at McDonald’s where there is no discrimination and everyone is equal. Phumi, as she is affectionately known by her colleagues, identifies poverty and the lack of education as the biggest challenges within her community.
She encourages people with the same challenges as her to believe in themselves, and accept and love who they are. “We are all disabled in some way, it is just that mine shows. I challenge others to be patient and kind with those that are different to them.”
