My mentor & pastor, Bonita Fourie, has nominated my new film company, Sacambaya Films, for the Music & Entertainment category.
The purpose of this competition is to recognize and celebrate 40 emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate or impact the world personally or professionally through their exceptional leadership. To identify projects and individual achievements that have enabled these ones to be set apart from their competitors, produced clear and compelling value, return of investment, and other relevant results. Also, to encourage our youth to excellence and success in various industries early on in life.
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Educational Background
Vicki Fourie holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Motion Picture Medium with a scriptwriting focus from AFDA Port Elizabeth, where she graduated with distinction and earned the AFDA Gold Postgraduate Award for outstanding scriptwriting. She also studied at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in California and completed professional writing courses with the Christian Writer’s Guild and multiple South African creative writing schools. Vicki’s education combines formal film training with ongoing professional development, equipping her with strong storytelling, scriptwriting, and creative leadership skills.
What makes this candidate stand out as a Forty Under 40 nominee?
Vicki Fourie is a remarkable creative professional whose life and career are a testament to resilience, innovation, and leadership in the face of adversity. Living with 97% hearing loss, she has defied societal and industry expectations to carve out a distinguished and multifaceted career as a filmmaker, writer, motivational speaker, and disability advocate. What truly makes Vicki stand out as a Forty Under 40 nominee is not only her impressive professional achievements but also the depth of her commitment to inclusivity, representation, and community empowerment within the South African arts and media landscape.
Vicki’s journey is unique because she navigates the world primarily through bilateral cochlear implants, which restore approximately 80% of her hearing, combined with exceptional lip-reading skills. This combination allows her to communicate fluently and participate actively in environments traditionally dominated by hearing individuals. Her success challenges common perceptions about disability, proving that with determination and adaptive technology, barriers can be overcome. Vicki embodies the intersection of ability and advocacy — showing the world that disability is not a limitation but a source of strength and perspective.
Professionally, Vicki is the founder and driving force behind Sacambaya Films, an independent production company based in the Eastern Cape that centers on bold, authentic storytelling featuring people with disabilities, especially those from deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Under her leadership, Sacambaya Films is developing its debut short film, ThisAbility, a pioneering project that tells stories rarely seen in mainstream South African media. Her role encompasses overseeing creative vision, scriptwriting, production management, funding, and team coordination, demonstrating exceptional leadership skills that extend beyond creative input to effective project execution.
Her work is deeply informed by her own lived experience and academic research. Vicki completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree with a focus on Motion Picture Medium and Scriptwriting at AFDA, where she graduated with distinction and received the prestigious AFDA Gold Postgraduate Award for outstanding achievement. Her postgraduate thesis, A Forgotten Audience: Responses of d/Deaf Audiences to Films Depicting d/Deafness, breaks new ground in media studies by analyzing how deaf audiences engage with and respond to film representations of deafness. This academic contribution positions her not only as a practitioner but also as a thought leader in inclusive media production.
Beyond film, Vicki is an accomplished author with several published books, including God Lief My and Viva la Vicki, reflecting her talent for storytelling in various formats. She has been recognized with numerous awards, such as the 2025 National Film & Video Foundation Film Grant and the 2017 Tributes Excellence Award in Creative Arts, underscoring the quality and impact of her work.
In addition to her artistic and academic accomplishments, Vicki’s influence extends into education and community development. She founded and directed the Jeffrey’s Bay School of Supernatural Ministry, where she mentored 15 students over two years, guiding their spiritual and emotional growth. She also leads creative writing workshops aimed at empowering adults with skills to express themselves through various literary forms. These initiatives reflect her belief in education as a tool for personal transformation and social change.
Vicki’s community involvement is complemented by her extensive experience as a motivational speaker. She has delivered over 173 talks across schools, churches, universities, and public events throughout South Africa, inspiring audiences with themes centered on courage, identity, resilience, and self-belief. Her messages resonate deeply because they stem from her own lived experience — overcoming the challenges posed by hearing loss and systemic barriers to forge a successful career.
Her work in media also includes radio presenting on prominent stations such as OFM and Maluti FM, where she has hosted motivational programs that encourage listeners to “own” their stories and potentials. As a freelance writer, she has contributed to newspapers and magazines, sharing insights on disability, identity, and creative expression.
What makes Vicki especially noteworthy is her holistic approach to her career and advocacy. She does not separate her art from her activism; instead, she uses every platform available to elevate the visibility and voices of disabled people, particularly in sectors that have historically marginalized them. Her leadership is inclusive and intersectional, reflecting a keen awareness of the need for diverse representation in media and the arts.
On a personal level, Vicki’s story is one of perseverance and hope. Her ability to communicate and thrive despite profound hearing loss is an inspiration to many. She stands as a role model not only for disabled creatives but for anyone facing challenges that require courage and adaptability. Her life and work demonstrate that disability is not a deficit but a different way of experiencing and interpreting the world — a perspective that enriches storytelling and cultural discourse.
In summary, Vicki Fourie stands out as a Forty Under 40 nominee because she combines professional excellence with transformative leadership, breaking down barriers for disabled artists and fostering a more inclusive creative landscape in South Africa. Her innovative work, personal resilience, and commitment to community empowerment make her a truly deserving candidate who embodies the spirit of this prestigious award.
Work history and career achievements
Vicki’s career spans over 15 years across multiple creative disciplines. She founded Sacambaya Films, where she leads scriptwriting, production management, and funding initiatives for socially impactful films. Vicki also launched and directed the Jeffrey’s Bay School of Supernatural Ministry, guiding spiritual and emotional growth for students over two years. She has extensive teaching experience in creative writing through community workshops and classes. As a motivational speaker, Vicki has reached over 173 venues nationwide with messages of courage, identity, and resilience. Her media career includes radio presenting on OFM and Maluti FM, alongside freelance writing for national newspapers and magazines. Her honours thesis and films focus on deaf representation in media, underscoring her dedication to inclusive storytelling.
Community, religious, and professional organization involvement
Vicki actively contributes to community development through her leadership of writing workshops that empower adults with creative skills. Her motivational speaking engagements inspire diverse audiences, including schools, churches, and universities across South Africa. She has worked in ministry support roles, such as being a personal assistant at Harvest Christian Church, assisting with leadership and operations. Vicki also serves as a disability advocate, elevating the visibility and voices of d/Deaf and disabled persons within media and creative industries. Her involvement is hands-on, ranging from educational initiatives to public outreach, reflecting a commitment to social impact beyond her artistic work.
Notable personal details
Despite profound hearing loss, Vicki communicates naturally and effectively thanks to bilateral cochlear implants, which restore about 80% of her hearing, combined with lip reading skills. This lived experience informs her creative vision and fuels her passion for inclusive storytelling. Her journey is not just professional but deeply personal, making her an authentic voice for disability representation in South Africa. Vicki’s perseverance and achievements serve as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that barriers can be overcome with determination, talent, and heart.
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More information on this competition here.
