Meet Esihle Mhluzi A Disability Activist

1. Who are you?

I am Esihle Mhluzi, I am a disability activist, pioneering the rights of women, youth, and persons with Disabilities. I also hold a seat as one of the youngest hospital board members and I serve on the National Executive Committee for Disabled Youth South Africa which is an extension of DPSA. Furthermore, I am the first physically disabled model to walk the ramp of Free State Fashion Week where I have been cast by incredible designers such as Gert-Johanne Coetzee to name a few

2. Which primary and high school did you attend?

I attended Kingsridge High School from Grade R to Grade 12.

3. Which subjects did you choose and why?

I chose a lot of content-based subjects like history and business studies as I believed that they aligned perfectly with what I wanted to achieve career-wise. My subjects steered me perfectly into the path of pursuing a Bachelor of Laws and the advocacy route I took in general.

4. How did you decide on your career choice?

The many times I’ve been undermined by virtue of being in a body that is considered to be unconvertional is why I pursued my career choice. Mine is to ensure marginalised beings no longer have to jump through hoops for a seat at the table or have their brilliance stifled because of a system that is inherently designed to be exclusionary towards us. Mine is to ensure that these bodies infiltrate every aspect of society.

5. Tell us about your business.

My business is merely that of serving as a Disability consultant/Liaison for companies/institutions/ departments so as to propel the Disability agenda. By law, it is a requirement that there be equal representation of all bodies especially those coming from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. So my expertise accompanied by my lived experience speak to the credibility of my services.

6. What made you want to own/start your own business?

The lack of representation is what compelled me to be the voice for the systematically silenced beings.

7. What services do you offer?

I am a Speaker & Facilitator, DYSA: NEC Member, International Disability advocate, and Human Rights & Gender Activist. I have chaired the Universal Access Council and SRC Social Justice Executive for two consecutive terms. Additionally, I have also been in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland Department for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. I currently hold a seat as Secretary General of the Board of Advisors at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital; one of the best regional hospitals in the Eastern Cape. I have also recently been invited to speak and facilitate the Inaugural Mandela-Sobukwe Leadership Retreat hosted by the Deputy Minister of Science and Innovation and been elected to the National Executive Committee of Disabled Youth South Africa (an extension of Disabled People South Africa)

8. What is it like running your own business?

For me because it is a passion project that impacts lives it really fufils me. If my work touches atleast one soul then to me my job is complete.

What advice would you give someone who wants to go into a business like yours?

You need to understand and want to remedy the plight of the people you are serving. That is the only way you will be able to make a meaningful impact.

9. What advice or words of encouragement would you give to high school learners?

To all differently abled leaners I say, we are worthy. We are capable. We need not have to overcompensate for survival. We are no longer seeking approval; we are redefining our capabilities on our own terms. In the words of former United States President Bush, “Let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come tumbling down”.