Being physically challenged is not the reason why someone can fail to succeed in life. You can still pursue your dreams, do a career and get married despite your disability. This is what the following celebrities proved with their own lives. So, we are going to talk about 10 Mzansi Celebrities Who made it despite their disability.
Number 1: Black Coffee known as a DJ
Musician and DJ Black Coffee did not allow disability to stop him from becoming a well known Dj world wide. Black Coffee whose real name is Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo has a disabled arm which is completely paralyzed. He was born able-bodied, unfortunately all that changed in 1990 during the celebration of Nelson Mandela’s release, Coffee was hit by a car at the event and and left him with a brachial plexus injury resulting in him losing the use of his left arm. Despite having a paralyzed left arm, DJ Black Coffee has become a well known DJ worldwide with the best music ever.
Number 2: Themba Ntuli known as an actor
Another top celebrity who made it in the industry despite being physically challenged is Themba Ntuli who is an actor. Themba Thuli is not disabled in a manner others may think, but we can simply say he is a bit disadvantaged because of his short stature. But you will be surprised if we tell you that his short height plus his talent as an actor has help him to be where he is, because he always acted as a child because of that. So far, he has appeared on numerous television dramas including Rhythm City, Mad Dogs, Task Force, B & B and many more. Temba is also married to a normal height woman and they have been together for than 10 years now.
Number 3: Kamogelo Maree known as an actress
Rising star Kamogelo Maree is an actress who became prominent after appearing on etv Scandal as a long lost sister of Taps Moore who became blind as result of an accident that happened when they were young. Most people who watched Scandal were wondering if she is blind in real-life and were searching all over Google. Yes, Kamogelo is blind in real life and was possibly born with visual difficulties but never allowed that to stop her from pursuing her career as an actress. Fortunately, Scandal producers created a perfect character which fits her real life challenges and fans fell inlove with it.
Number 4: Mia Le Roux known as Miss South Africa
Model and beaty pageant winner Mia Le Roux made history in 2024 when she won Miss South Africa beauty pageant competition. She became the first woman with a disability to win Miss South Africa. Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and as result she was fitted with a cochlear implant to aid her hearing.
Her hearing disability has also caused a defect in her speech and winning the competition made her an inspiration to all those who are physically challenged. She has inspired many disabled people to participate in any competition without fearing to be discriminated.
Number 5: Ontiretse Radipabe known for acting
Young actress Ontiretse Radipabe has become famous by just starring in The Black Door and Isitha the enemy. Ontiretse has dwarfism which means she does not grow that much. She is probably 1.2m tall but one thing is evident about her, that is she is talented and dwarfism didn’t stop her from becoming a famous actress. She is also dreaming of becoming a medical doctor in real life as well. On Isitha the enemy, Ontiretse acted alongside DJ Finzo who has got dwarfism as well.
This takes us to number 6, DJ Finzo known for being a DJ
DJ Finzo is one of those well known people whose dwarfism didn’t stop them from achieving what they dreamt of becoming. Apart from Djing, DJ Finzo has acted on Isitha the enemy alongside Ontiretse Radipabe as each other’s love interest and they ended up dating on the drama. Despite dwarfism, DJ Finzo is also a father to a daughter with a normal height.
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Number 7: Mpumelelo Mhlongo who is a paralympian
Paralympian athlete Mpumelelo Mhlongo became famous for breaking the record in paralympic athletics. He was born with amniotic band syndrome (ABS) and a deformed clubfoot – conditions that set him apart from his peers. Despite his deformed feet he has managed to make it as an athlete. During his childhood, his mother didn’t like his zeal for athletics so she transferred him to another school to diminish his talent. Fortunately, his parents eventually transferred him back to schools that help his talents to grow and has ever since become a house hold name.
Mumber 8: Oscar Pistorius also known for Paralympic athletics
Another Paralympian athlete who didn’t allow his disability to define him is Oscar Pistorius. He was born with congenital condition and had both legs amputated below the knee at 11 months old. He later became famous as paralympic and Olympic athlete until the time he was convicted of murdering his girlfriend.
Number 9: Israel Matseke-Zulu known for acting
Legendary actor Israel Matseke Zulu became a household name when he starred in films such as iNumber number, Tsotsi and Four Corners. He was born able-bodied but later his legs were amputated above the knee because he had gangrene, a serious infection that resulted in tissue death and required the amputation as a life-saving measure. After that Israel did not back down from acting but went on to appear in Nikiwe and other dramas as a disabled man. Being disable or amputated did not stop him from acting as a ruthless gangster like he used to do before that.
Number 10: DJ Kabila known for DJing
Siyanda Makanya who is professionally known as DJ Kabila has been in the entertainment industry for more than 25 years despite of being on the wheel for almost his entire life. He used to be a good dancer until he had an accident which led him onto the wheelchair. But despite being on the wheelchair, he has been Djing and has build a good fan base in Durban.
