Florina grew up in Bloemfontein and now lives in Alberton. She worked as a caregiver and housekeeper for more than ten years. When she found herself between jobs in 2022, she took a temporary cleaning position at SA Guide Dogs in Johannesburg. It turned out to be the turning point of her career.
She noticed final-year O&M students practicing long cane skills under blindfold. She started asking questions, then during her lunch breaks, she went to the library to read everything she could find about Orientation and Mobility. One of the facilitators noticed her interest and told her the course would suit her. She applied, was accepted, and became a student at the very institution where she had been a cleaner.
The course was rigorous, and Florina loved every bit of it. She joined SAMBT in early 2026, her first O&M position since qualifying.
She talks of the thrill she gets seeing her clients’ independence coming together. “Mostly people don’t initially believe they could do it. Seeing their joy when they achieve a goal makes it all worthwhile.”
