27 Nov 2019

No one desires to be born as a disabled person, but when this happens one should embrace it and live life to the fullest.

This is exactly what Mr Odirile Mosimanewakgosi (44) did by accepting and loving himself despite his limitations.

People living with disabilities often found themselves rejected by the society, but self-love topped with love from family members made Mr Mosimanewakgosi a designer of repute.

“When you have a loving, caring and supportive family, it becomes even easier to realise the beauty and the dreams which one has for life,” Mr Mosimanewakgosi said.

After Mr Mosimanewakgosi’s parents realised that their son could not hear or utter a single word, they took it upon themselves to give their all to help him overcome the challenges that come with disability.

This was why in 1996, they sold their beasts to send him to Zimbabwe where he enrolled for a Commercial and Industrial Certificate at Jairos Jiri Association for the Blind, the course that entailed painting, lettering, design, portraits, dyes and batik.

After completion of his training, he came back home to practice what he had learnt but the ground was harder than he anticipated especially of language barrier.

Sign language was not of help much as many people were clueless about it, at times totally failing to understand him. As frustrating as it was, Mr Mosimanewakgosi did not give up his dream of being his own boss and showing the world that disability should not be an obstacle to success.

When the poverty eradication programme was introduced, he realised that the programme could help him get established, something he had struggled with due to financial constraints.

Mr Mosimanewakgosi became one of the first beneficiaries of poverty eradication having been funded in 2014.

He started his business OD and D Art and Design, which is operating in Selebi Phikwe, Bobirwa and as far as Mahalapye.

The business focuses on making screen print, signage, road signs, banners and number plates.

Mr Mosimanewakgosi’s products caught the eye of many people including the business community and government institutions. Taxi operators also use his service to buy number plates.

Even though business is good, he is still struggling with customers who want to take advantage of him by demanding things at a lesser prize.

Reminiscing about the BCL mine days, Mr Mosimanewakgosi said that his yard was always full of customers wanting different kinds of designs for various activities they held. He says now that was gone with BCL mine and the customers he has now support his business during month ends.

Despite this, Mr Mosimanewakgosi, credits the government through Poverty Eradication Programme for improving his life for the better. “I now live a dignified life and intend to get married soon,” he said.

The business has also enabled him to connect to pay rent in Selebi Phikwe, connect a stand pipe and buy bricks for his house project back home in Mmaphashalala.

He also boasted of taking care of his family and is able to provide for his children fully.

He also thanked officers from Selebi Phikwe Poverty Eradication Office for their support and constant monitoring which enabled him to be amongst the 30 beneficiaries who graduated from the programme in October.

He urged those who had benefited from the programme to work very hard to improve their lives as government already laid a foundation for them to prosper. He equally urged those living in poverty to also apply for this programme to realise their dreams and live a dignified life as espoused in the country’s vision 2036. ENDS