Although young people are making strides in various career fields, there are still industries where they are underrepresented, particularly young people living with disabilities.
The media sector is one area where individuals with disabilities have not fully taken advantage of the chance to showcase their talents, whether in radio, television, or online media.
Thato Mosebi, a young man with a disability, serves as a radio presenter at CUT FM, a campus station of the Central University of Technology.
Residing in Bloemfontein, Thato believes that the hesitance among some people with disabilities to enter the media industry stems from concerns about public perception and the way they are treated by others.
“In many instances, people with disabilities are looked down upon. Some members of society perceive them as inferior or inadequate, which can negatively impact their self-confidence.” That explains.
Thato also points out several barriers that discourage young people with disabilities from showcasing their media talents. He notes that many organizations in the media industry, which are brands themselves, are often unwilling to collaborate with individuals living with disabilities.
Additionally, there are few people with disabilities in various media organizations, resulting in fewer opportunities for growth and development compared to their able-bodied counterparts.
To improve the situation and ensure that young people living with disabilities can seize available opportunities, Thato emphasizes the need for collective action.
“First, individuals with disabilities must work hard and ensure their achievements in the industry are well publicized and recognized by potential stakeholders. Often, personalities within the disabled community are not widely known, and when opportunities arise, it is typically well-known able-bodied individuals who receive them,” Thato said.
Reflecting on his own media journey, Thato shared that he has built relationships with various media personalities over time, encouraging them not to give up on their dreams when they feel like quitting.
Radio has always been Thato’s passion. He began his career with Civic FM as a current affairs presenter and then joined CUT FM after successfully auditioning and participating in their training program. He has now been with the campus radio for three years.
“I found out about these auditions not only through my connections with media personalities but also because I regularly listened to the radio and engaged with social media platforms where these opportunities were publicized. I believe that the disabled community would become more aware of media opportunities if they invested time in listening to the radio, watching television, or staying informed,” Thato explained.
To ensure that available opportunities are well communicated, Thato suggests that some positions should be reserved for people living with disabilities. For example, if there are five vacancies, he believes that at least two should be allocated for individuals living with disabilities.
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