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.
In 2009, Vicki was crowned Miss Deaf South Africa. She went on to represent South Africa internationally as Runner-Up at Miss Deaf International in 2010 and competed in Miss Deaf World in 2011. These experiences strengthened her passion for disability advocacy and laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to promoting greater visibility and inclusion for deaf and disabled people.
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 is possible in an industry that too often overlooks the contributions of disabled creatives.
Vicki holds a post-graduate (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 significant contribution to media studies, exploring how d/Deaf audiences engage with representations of d/Deafness in film. The research culminated in a practical ten-step guide for screenwriters and filmmakers to create more authentic and inclusive disability representation. This academic foundation continues to inform Vicki’s approach to 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. She received the National Institute for the Deaf Actress Award for her performance.
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 numerous accolades, including 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 received two further honours: the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Award in the Arts, Film & Media category and the Forty Under 40 Disability Inclusion Honorary Award.
She has delivered more than 200 motivational talks across schools, churches, universities, and conferences, speaking on themes of resilience, identity, disability inclusion, and overcoming adversity. Her message continues to inspire audiences from diverse backgrounds. Topics includes ‘Courage Isn’t A Gift, It’s a Decision’ and ‘I Know I Can’.
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 hosted workshops equipping adults with the skills to express themselves through various literary forms. She also founded the Jeffrey’s Bay School of Supernatural Ministry (JSSM), mentoring 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 hope and purpose through the airwaves.
In October 2025, Vicki was invited as a guest speaker at the first AFDA Alumni Reunion in Gqeberha (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 authentic storytelling. She later presented her academic research on deafness in film at the SACO Conference in November 2025.
Vicki recently completed her debut professional short film, ThisAbility, which released its trailer and poster in May 2026. Funded by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the film centres on a young Deaf woman navigating South Africa’s violent taxi underworld while exploring themes of identity, accessibility, survival, and belonging. Since its completion, ThisAbility has been submitted to more than 17 national and international film festivals, marking the beginning of its global festival campaign.
In addition to writing, producing, and directing the film, Vicki also portrays one of its leading characters, Patricia—a complex and morally ambiguous antagonist. In a pioneering approach to representation, Patricia’s identity is not defined by deafness; instead, she is a powerful character who happens to be deaf. Vicki, who has bilateral cochlear implants, performs the role using spoken dialogue, challenging traditional assumptions about deaf actors and the roles they are expected to play within contemporary cinema.
What sets Vicki apart is her unwavering dedication to using her voice—and her platform—for meaningful change. By integrating her artistic talents with disability advocacy, she not only breaks barriers but builds bridges. Her work amplifies the voices of those too often unheard while promoting dignity, visibility, and authentic representation across film, literature, and the creative industries.
Now based in Oregon, USA, Vicki continues to develop stories that champion disability representation on an international stage. She is also preparing to launch Arrow Letters, a creative letter-writing mail club that celebrates the timeless art of handwritten correspondence, storytelling, creativity, and meaningful human connection.
Vicki Fourie’s life and career are a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and storytelling.