Vicki Fourie is a pioneering South African filmmaker, writer, motivational speaker, and disability advocate. Despite living with 97% hearing loss, she has built a powerful career rooted in bold, authentic storytelling that highlights the experiences of people with disabilities—particularly from d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Through her independent production company, Sacambaya Films, Vicki leads creative projects that challenge conventional narratives and push for greater inclusion within the arts and media landscape. Her resilience and determination shine through in both her personal journey and professional achievements. Relying on bilateral cochlear implants and expert lip-reading skills, Vicki has redefined what’s possible in an industry that too often overlooks the contributions of disabled creatives.
Vicki holds an Honours degree in Motion Picture Medium with a focus on Scriptwriting from AFDA, graduating with distinction and receiving the prestigious AFDA Gold Postgraduate Award for Scriptwriting. Her thesis, “A Forgotten Audience: Responses of d/Deaf Audiences to Films Depicting d/Deafness,” is a vital contribution to media studies, exploring how d/Deaf audiences engage with representations of d/Deafness in film. The results of this research include implications for screenwriters and filmmakers, culminating in a ten-step guide on how to implement more inclusive and accurate representation in media. This academic foundation continues to inform Vicki’s approach to inclusive storytelling.
As an actress, Vicki played the leading role in Kinders van Stilte—alongside Zane Meas and Antoinette Louw—in the Afrikaans stage adaptation of Children of a Lesser God. For the role, she learned South African Sign Language (SASL) for the first time, deepening her connection with Deaf culture and broadening her artistic range.
Vicki is also an accomplished author, with several published books, including God Lief My (Carpe Diem Media) and Viva la Vicki (Naledi Books). Her work has earned multiple accolades, such as the Tributes Excellence Award in Creative Arts, and the Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female Award, in recognition of her motivational speaking and advocacy for disability inclusion. In October 2025, she was the winner of the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards in the Arts, Film & Media category.
She has delivered over 200 motivational talks across schools, churches, and universities, where she speaks on themes of resilience, identity, and overcoming adversity. Her message continues to inspire audiences from all walks of life.
Vicki’s commitment to empowering others extends beyond her personal creative pursuits. She is the founder of The Creative Community, a writing school in Jeffrey’s Bay where she hosts workshops that equip adults with the skills to express themselves through various literary forms. She also founded the Jeffrey’s Bay School of Supernatural Ministry (JSSM), where she mentored students in spiritual and emotional growth.
In radio, she has contributed motivational content to both OFM (Bloemfontein) and Maluti FM (Bethlehem), expanding her message of purpose and hope through the airwaves.
In September 2025, Vicki Fourie was honoured to be one of five emerging filmmakers from the Eastern Cape selected by the ECDC to represent the province at FAME Week in Cape Town. The experience gave her the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain insights into African and international storytelling, and showcase her work on a global platform.
In October 2025, Vicki was invited as a guest speaker at the first AFDA Alumni Reunion in Port Elizabeth, where she shared insights from her journey as a writer and filmmaker. She also spoke at the AFDA Open Day, inspiring prospective students with her story of creativity, resilience, and the power of authentic storytelling.
Vicki is currently in post-production for her first professional short film, ThisAbility. The film, which has been awarded two grants by the NFVF (National Film & Video Foundation) and the ECDC (Eastern Cape Development Corporation), centres on a deaf girl from the townships and explores the taxi crime underworld. ThisAbility is set for release in late 2025.
Additionally, Vicki has been invited to seven prestigious opportunities as a guest speaker, bringing awareness of disability representation in film across Africa:
- October 2025: ATKV Pacaltsdorp (George), as a guest speaker
- October 2025: Forty Under 40 Awards, where she is a finalist
- October 2025: EmpowerAfriq Awards, where she is a finalist
- November 2025: SACO Conference, where she will present her thesis on deafness in film
- November 2025: Africa’s Voices of Change in Nigeria, where she will also be a guest speaker
- January 2026: Netflix Symposium, where she has again been invited to present her thesis on deafness in film
- June 2026: International Communication Association Conference (Cape Town) – Invited Panel Speaker, expanding her research on Netflix in the Global South.
What sets Vicki apart is her unwavering dedication to using her voice—and platform—for meaningful change. By integrating her artistic talents with disability advocacy, she not only breaks barriers—she builds bridges. Her work amplifies the voices of the often unheard and promotes dignity, visibility, and representation across all forms of media.
Vicki Fourie’s life and career are a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and storytelling.