We look at South African hardworking superstars who, despite their handicap, work hard to keep us amused and fly the country’s flag higher as the globe observes the Month of Disability. 

Themba Ntuli

Themba Ntuli, popularly known as Themba Mncube, was born to Keneth and Nokuthula Ntuli on March 7, 1991. He was born without enough growth hormone, which stunted his development at a young age. Themba, a South African actor and presenter, was raised in Ekhuruleni.

In numerous programs, including SABC1 Yo Tv Land, Leonardo, Frank and Fearless, and People Nongena, he has made appearances. 

Themba has a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Television Production, and Directing.

Black Coffee 

Real name Nkosinathi Maphumulo Unquestionably,  is one of the world’s top DJs. The DJ began his career in South Africa, but as it progressed, he received engagements from all around the world. Black Coffee’s hands were both functional when he was born, despite the fact that he is crippled. However, he didn’t lose the use of his left hand until a vehicle accident in 2005.

Black Coffee has quickly established himself as one of the most popular touring artists in the world, holding a number of residencies in renowned dance music venues around the world, including H in Ibiza and The Wynn in Las Vegas, in addition to an impressive tour schedule of over 150 performances annually.

Natalie du Toit

Former Olympic and Paralympic swimmer Natalie is from Cape Town and is from South Africa. Natalie had her left leg amputated in 2001 as a result of an accident, yet this affliction never stopped her from achieving her goals. After winning gold medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games and the Commonwealth Games, she raised the national anthem of South Africa. Natalie is no longer retired; instead, she is a prosperous swimming coach and motivational speaker.

Kgothatso Montjane

 Kgothatso Montjane also known as KG, was born with a congenital birth deformity in her hands and leg. This meant that, at the juvenile age of 12, she was forced to have her leg amputated below the knee. She didn’t start playing her sport, tennis, until she was 20 years old, unlike many other athletes. 

Nevertheless, in just 6 years, KG rose to the top spot among South African wheelchair tennis players. In addition, she is now ranked ninth worldwide in wheelchair tennis according to the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

She participated in the Paralympic Games in 2008 and 2012, making this year’s Games her third. A staggering 29 singles titles and being the first African wheelchair tennis player to qualify for the prestigious NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters and Invacare Doubles Masters are among the other honors.

Louzanne Coetzee

Louzanne Coetzee is far more complex than first appears. She attended the Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired in Worcester instead of her hometown of Bloemfontein because she was born blind. In 2012, she achieved the highest matric score in the nation for students with special needs. She later attended the University of the Free State to study communications. 

This athletic star started diligently training in 2012 and competing in the national championships for the disabled in 2013. She won a gold medal at the competition for the 800m sprint that year and the two years after that.

Louzanne set a new record for Africa by winning the 1500-meter sprint at the Disabled Athletics Grand Prix in the Netherlands in a time of 5:00:25. She learned while she was there that she had been selected for South Africa’s team for the next Paralympic Games. She certainly stuck to her promise to never let a disability “hold you back.”