Retinal Realities

WORLD RETINA WEEK | VUYO’S STORY

This is Vuyo Nadia Makomo. She lives with Stargardt disease, works in supply administration, and is a mother who continues to build a life for herself and her family while adapting to vision loss.

“You might have lost some parts of your vision, but don't allow yourself to lose vision of your entire life.”
— Vuyo Nadia Makomo

World Retina Week is not only about awareness. It is about people who go to work, raise children, and continue living their lives while adapting to a retina that is changing.

If you are newly diagnosed: you are not the first, and you are not alone.

🎧 Hear Vuyo’s story on the Retinal Realities Podcast 🔗https://youtu.be/KoidHEOAKFI
Listen as she shares her journey of being diagnosed with Stargardt disease later in life, adjusting to changes in her vision, raising her son, and finding support and community through Retina SA.

Tell us in the comments: Which session of the 'Living Well with Sight Loss' course are you joining?

🌱 Living Without Fear was this week.
👁️ Know Your Eyes — Tuesday, 29 September at 18:00.
📧 Register: [email protected]

Episode 37 - World Retina Week / A Journey of Adjustment & Resilience with Stargardts Disease Vuyo was diagnosed with Stargardt disease at 33 — later in life tha...

🎙️ New episode of Retinal Realities is here — and just in time for Helen Keller Month!

We spoke with Bev Richardson from the Helen Keller Society NPO 000-253 in Pinelands, Cape Town, about the remarkable life of Helen Keller and the incredible work the Society continues today.

Did you know Helen Keller learned to read and write in FIVE languages using Braille? Or that she was the first deafblind person ever to earn a university degree? Her story is one of determination, empathy, and the power of human connection.

Watch now and share it with someone who needs to hear this story — and join us on 27 June for Helen Keller Day to celebrate her legacy together. 💛

🎧 Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRl7m9o9ox0&pp=0gcJCUELAYcqIYzv

Episode 36 - Did You Know Helen Keller visited South Africa? Her Legacy lives on in Cape Town Did you know that Helen Keller visited Cape Town in 1951 — and that...

🎙️ This Youth Month, we are proud to feature Karla Rossouw — 24 years old, living with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, and absolutely unstoppable.

In Episode 35 of Retinal Realities, Karla opens up about navigating school with severe vision loss, building a career in marketing, studying law, staying active, and her powerful message to young people with low vision:

"Don't let other people's understanding become the understanding that you have of yourself."

Karla has recently been nominated to join the Management Committee of Retina South Africa — and we couldn't be prouder. 💛
🎧 Watch Episode 35 now 👉 https://youtu.be/ys2XZYwiUno

Episode 35 - This Youth Month, Meet Karla Rossouw | Living Boldly with Low Vision 🎙️This Youth Month, we sit down with Karla Rossouw — a 24-year-old ...

✨ New Podcast Episode Out Now!

In this episode of the Retinal Realities Podcast, we chat to Ferdie Danzfuss — a software developer living with Stargardt’s disease and the creator of the incredible Umsizi Reader app.

Discover how Ferdi turned his personal challenges into an innovative solution that helps visually impaired users:

💡 This episode is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when technology meets determination.

🎙Listen at https://youtu.be/xepcj8eX3H4

Episode 34 - Empowering Accessibility through Innovation In this episode of the Retinal Realities Podcast, we speak with Ferdie Danzfuss— software developer, Retina South Africa member, and creator of the Umzizi Re...

✈️ Flying with a Guide Dog: What You Need to Know

Air travel can be stressful — now imagine doing it with a guide dog by your side.
In our latest Retinal Realities podcast episode (released for International Guide Dog Day), host Karen speaks to experienced traveller Mariza, who shares her real-life insights on flying both locally and internationally with her guide dog, Dottie.

From booking flights and paperwork to airport security, long-haul journeys, and international regulations, this episode unpacks the realities — the challenges, the preparation, and the rewards of travelling with a guide dog.

🐕 Practical tips
✈️ Honest experiences
🌍 Local & international travel advice

Whether you’re a guide dog user, planning future travel, or wanting to understand accessible travel better, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now & subscribe:
👉 https://bit.ly/RetinalRealities-Eps33-InternationalGuideDogsDay

Retina South Africa Episode 33 - International Guide Dogs Day - Flying with a Guide Dog - What you need to know

Healthy living isn’t just about how we feel — it’s about how we see the world.
In our latest episode of Retinal Realities, we explore how everyday lifestyle choices impact overall health and eye health, from nutrition and exercise to regular eye tests and screen habits.

✨ Simple changes.
👁️ Long term vision health.
❤️ Better outcomes for all of us.

🎧 Available now on our Retinal Realities podcast.
📢 Listen to Episode 32- Healthy Living & Eye Health: 🔗https://youtu.be/4ipZHx79WOs

Are you passionate about technology, people, and improving access to information for blind and low-vision South Africans? We invite you to join our team.

Retina South Africa is involved in the development of the Umsizi Reader App, a pioneering mobile application designed to read content aloud in multiple South African languages, including Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Sesotho. While many screen readers struggle with local languages, our solution is built to meet this need with accuracy and inclusivity.

As our Customer Service Support Specialist, you will serve as the primary point of contact for our users. You will provide telephonic support, assist with troubleshooting, guide users through the application, and ensure a seamless and inclusive user experience.

Key Requirements:
✅Interest in mobile application or systems development (experience in accessibility-focused solutions is advantageous)
✅Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with visual impairments, including practical knowledge of screen readers such as VoiceOver and TalkBack
✅Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and without jargon
✅Professional and empathetic telephone manner, with a calm and patient approach
✅Strong administrative skills, including email management, filing, and general organisational support
✅Proficiency with presentation and report generation tools/software.
✅High level of attention to detail.
✅Experience with research, preparation and proofreading of documentation
✅Experience with website and social media updates

Contract Details:
• Fixed-term contract: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2028
• Office based in Germiston
• Salary: market related

Applicants should send their CV’s to [email protected]
Closing date for applications: Monday 13th April