At InnoStation, we’re passionate about highlighting the voices of change-makers who inspire us to think differently and act boldly. Our latest episode features the incredible Luthando Kekana, Chairperson of the Association for the Physically Disabled (APD) Greater Johannesburg. Her journey of resilience, advocacy, and zest for life is a powerful reminder that inclusivity is not just a concept but a call to action.
From adversity to advocacy
Luthando’s life took a dramatic turn 20 years ago when she became paraplegic following a shooting incident. Yet, she refused to let her circumstances define her. Instead, she transformed her experiences into a force for good, becoming a communications specialist, motivational speaker, poet, and leader at APD Greater Johannesburg.
Her advocacy stems from a desire to create opportunities and redefine how society views and supports individuals with disabilities. Luthando’s work stands as a source of inspiration, showing others that resilience and empowerment can emerge from life’s greatest challenges.
A fight for equal rights
During our conversation, Luthando made a knowledgeable comparison between the fight for disability rights and South Africa’s historic struggle against apartheid. Both, she explained, are about securing equal rights and freedoms.
While South Africa has made strides in accessibility, significant gaps remain, especially in communication and awareness. Luthando emphasises how these shortcomings affect tourism and international perceptions, discouraging potential visitors and limiting economic opportunities.
For her, accessibility is more than ramps and elevators—it’s a mindset. True inclusivity requires a shift in how we view and value diverse experiences, ensuring universal access for all.
Systemic change
Luthando spoke candidly about the systemic challenges persons with disabilities face in South Africa. Education, financial inclusion, and ineffective government initiatives are critical issues that need addressing.
She advocates for reforming learnership models, improving inclusive education from the grassroots, and embracing vulnerability and collaboration as tools for growth. One of her most compelling points is the need to shift from viewing accessibility as a charity issue to seeing it as an investment in empowerment and societal improvement.
Finding joy in adventure
Despite her busy schedule and focus on advocacy, Luthando is an adventurer and nature lover at heart. Her love for outdoor activities—like quad biking at the Atlantis Dunes in Cape Town and canoeing at the Rietvlei Dam—is a testament to her spirit.
With parasailing and jet skiing on her bucket list, Luthando proves that life’s thrills don’t stop with a disability. She also fondly recalls her near bungee jumping experience and hopes to revisit the bungee jumping site to experience that joy in the future.
Leading by example
Representation in leadership is another area where Luthando sees great potential for change. She aligns with the theme of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, advocating for amplifying voices of leaders with disabilities to create sustainable, inclusive futures.
Her message is clear: society must value the contributions of persons with disabilities and work together to build accessible spaces for all.
Luthando Kekana’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and joy. Her journey challenges us to think beyond traditional narratives, embrace diverse perspectives, and take actionable steps toward a more accessible world.
Follow Luthando on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay connected with her advocacy work and adventures.
Episode description
Join us as we dive deep into an inspiring conversation with Luthando Kekana, a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. Discover her insights on accessibility, disability representation, and personal adventures.
- The importance of accessibility and inclusivity in South Africa.
- Luthando’s views on disability representation in media.
- Her experiences and love for outdoor adventures, including parasailing and quad biking.
- The challenges and misconceptions surrounding financial exclusion and accessibility modifications.
- The need for systemic change in education and leadership roles for persons with disabilities.
Listen to the episode
Links
Website: Association for the Physically Disabled
Transcript
Kami 00:00:03 – 00:00:45
You just tuned into InnoStation where the latest and hottest topics are always on air. I’m your host, Kami and each episode will be serving up some heat with fire chats, fire insights and a couple of guest appearances along the way. Today I have a very special person with me. I have Lutando Kekana joining us. Our team recently met her at a golf day that we were a part of that was hosted by the association for the Physically Disabled. She’s the chairperson for the APD and is also an active advocate for people with disabilities. By profession, she’s a communication specialist, motivational speaker, poet, and all around creative. Luthando, welcome to InnoStation.
Luthando Kekana 00:00:45 – 00:00:47
Thank you so much for having me.
Kami 00:00:47 – 00:00:48
How are you doing?
Luthando Kekana 00:00:48 – 00:00:58
I’m great, I’m great. It’s just been a long week as usual, but in general, I’m great, thank you. How are you?
Kami 00:00:58 – 00:01:00
I’m doing very well, thanks as well.
Luthando Kekana 00:01:00 – 00:01:01
Yeah.
Kami 00:01:01 – 00:01:10
Now, I think to get us started, let’s help the audience to get to know you a little bit more. Tell us who Latundo is and what fuels her inner fire.
Luthando Kekana 00:01:11 – 00:02:40
Well, Luthando, I am a mom, I am a sister, I am a professional. And I just got a soft spot for people in general, especially people that are vulnerable in society. I’ve always had a soft spot, on how do I change the narrative? How do I make someone else’s life better? And with people that usually don’t have role models that looks like them, I usually try to match them with somebody who’s been in a similar situation and they’re doing much better. And why? Because some time ago, 20 years exactly when I got shot and then I became paraplegic, I personally struggled to find people that I could emulate or role models or someone who looks like me, who I felt that they could understand. Basically, I was looking for a black woman with a disability, my tool in life that would actually give me hope, to say, okay, fine, life is not so bad, I can also do it if she can. And that has now become my motto to actually give young women with disability someone to look up to, someone to emulate. So I try to carry myself in a way that gives them hope. Silently though, because it does not always have to be in light, loud words or actions.
Luthando Kekana 00:02:40 – 00:02:49
But sometimes living your best life gives somebody else hope, it opens the curtains, in a way, in the dark space.
Kami 00:02:50 – 00:03:08
Yeah, very, very true. And that actually brings me into what my next question is. We want to know what has brought you to where you are right now in life. Being the chairperson of the APD and also being such a strong advocate for people with disabilities. I know you touched on it a little bit just now, but let’s go deeper into that.
Luthando Kekana 00:03:09 – 00:03:17
Well, sure. Okay, great. As I said that people that are vulnerable in society, actually, that’s my drive.
Kami 00:03:17 – 00:03:17
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:03:18 – 00:03:32
And although it was easy for me, I could actually separate and say, okay, fine, I went to school. I was privileged to go to school, to go to varsity, and I got a job. And I could easily separate myself and just focus on my own life.
Kami 00:03:33 -00:03:33
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:03:34 – 00:04:20
But what kind of. What kind of world would I be living in if I were that selfish? So the reason I actually then became an advocate for business disabilities in all spheres or in every table that I get to be blessed to sit at is to actually change the narrative. That is my life story. To change the narrative, give people access to what they generally normally would not have. I mean, I usually like to compare disabilities so that people can actually understand the South African context. I usually compare it to apartheid. If you look at the rights of people of colour, Black people, prior 1994, there were so many limited rights.
Kami 00:04:20 – 00:04:20
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:04:21 – 00:04:38
And people could not do this. I could not do that. And it took a certain number of people who had to be selfless and say that, you know what? I’m gonna fight for the rights of other people. So, yes, I guess I am a freedom fighter within. But if we are not all free, then none of us really is free.
Kami 00:04:39 – 00:04:39
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:04:40 – 00:04:48
Yeah. So that is what is actually fueling me, because I believe we’re as strong a nation as the weakest link.
Kami 00:04:48 – 00:05:07
Yeah. No, and I think so. I think that’s it. That’s a very inspirational thing to say, because I think it takes a very special person to be able to step out of their own situation and think, how can I take this situation and try to use it to make things better for somebody else, be a light in somebody’s life. So kudos to you for that.
Luthando Kekana 00:05:07 – 00:05:08
Thank you. Thank you.
Kami 00:05:09 – 00:05:27
Disability in South Africa often goes unnoticed until it touches your own life, where you are personally affected. Can you give us a rundown of how disability friendly you think South Africa is when it comes to our infrastructure, our public transport systems, especially within the realm of things like tourism as well.
Luthando Kekana 00:05:28 – 00:05:50
Yeah. I think. Whoa. You know, we measure differently. The African standards and international standards. And I think on the African standards, we’re not doing so bad. We are quite competitive, even internationally.
Luthando Kekana 00:05:51 – 00:05:56
I think the problem that we have is that we do not communicate.
Kami 00:05:56 – 00:05:56
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:05:56 – 00:06:43
The offerings that we have or how great we are doing when it comes to that and I think most of the time is because we’re doing it because we are mandated to. So the building will have a ramp, but that ramp will never be used because, well, it was supposed to be there. So we’ve made it to be there as opposed to let’s have a ramp. And actively encourage people to use that ramp invisible. Make it easy to, like, easy to find and all of those things. And also talk about the measures that we do for persons with disabilities. See, when it comes to disability, usually when people think of disability, they’re thinking of a person with an impairment.
Kami 00:06:43 – 00:06:44
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:06:44 – 00:07:24
So. And not really always. So when we’re talking about disability, it could. That does also encompass pregnant women, the elderly, temporary disabilities, and all of those things. So even kids sometimes can fall under that category. So if you are shutting out those people from exiting your building, there will be a time we will not be able to go into that office. Imagine really what happens to productivity. You’re missing out on people that could actually be partners with your business.
Luthando Kekana 00:07:25 – 00:08:18
Now, when we’re talking tourism, if you look at it, the amount of people that are not coming to South Africa because they perceive South Africa as a place that is not disability friendly or it’s not necessarily accessible, you know, and that’s the word that everybody’s using now. Universally accessible. And if something is universally accessible, means can be used by anyone and everyone. Yeah, 90 or 98% of the time because you can never really cover everyone. But if you cover a big enough scale of people, then your services are easier to get hold of. Now, taking back to tourism, a person with a disability never really travels alone. There are those who do, but in most instances they don’t. So you find that it’s –
Luthando Kekana 00:08:19 – 00:08:52
It’s a family that needs to travel for adventure or fun, whatever reason that may be. And sometimes you find that there is a person with an impairment or there could be a person with whatever issue that they’re facing now, would they be coming to South Africa? No, studies show that actually they don’t. And the reason is that we do not talk about our offerings that everyone and everyone is welcome. Usually when people perceive Africa, they see it as the strongest of the survival of the fittest, you know?
Kami 00:08:53 – 00:08:53
Right. Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:08:54 – 00:09:23
It’s only when people get here and then they’re seriously, seriously surprised. I mean, if fully. How do I put this without offending anyone, and I’m so sorry, but if a person who is an athlete and is fully fit, 100 on the normal scales, and they think have to think twice, about coming to South Africa because they’re thinking that I really just want to go to Africa and just lay down and just be lazy and be on vacation.
Kami 00:09:24 – 00:09:24
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:09:25 – 00:09:38
And then they think, no, when you go to Africa, you have to be on a safari. I’m going to be running, I’m going to be doing this, I’m going to be. I have to be in defence mode. I have to be and have to be. Like just being in South Africa alone is an adventure. That’s the mindset that’s out there. We do not.
Luthando Kekana 00:09:39 – 00:10:18
We do not advertise. We do not market ourselves as a universally accessible country. Even in our hotel, are they doing well? There are those that are doing well. But if a hotel is going to have two or three accessible rooms for me, you know, leaves a lot to be desired. If we could make all hotel rooms universally accessible to anyone and use it, we will actually see much greater returns. We are missing out on things like important activities internationally like the Olympics. If you look at the Olympics, they go with the Paralympics, right?
Kami 00:10:19 – 00:10:20
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:10:20 – 00:10:50
Are they ever going to come to South Africa? Are they ever going to come to Africa? It’s a big question. And one of the things that keeps us, eliminating us is because of our accessible measures. Because if you’re going to bring so many people with disabilities into the country, then you have to be able to cater to them and their needs. But I don’t think that it’s a big challenge. It is as it is perceived to be. It’s really not. It’s just a mindset.
Luthando Kekana 00:10:51 – 00:10:58
You just need to start thinking differently. How do we make our spaces and our offerings universally accessible?
Kami 00:10:59 – 00:11:35
And I think I like what you said about the fact that when people think about disability, we often think about physical impairments, but we don’t really give much attention to the fact that at some point in their lives, all of us are going to need special facilities because there are things that happen. You might be pregnant, you might break a leg, you might, things happen. So yeah, I think that’s a very important perspective to also bring in is the fact that like when we say universally inclusive and accessible, it’s for you too, who thinks. Like, it’s for you, who also thinks because you don’t necessarily have a physical impairment, that you don’t necessarily fit into that category.
Luthando Kekana 00:11:36 – 00:11:36
That’s –
Kami 00:11:36 – 00:11:37
Yeah, that’s very important.
Luthando Kekana 00:11:38 – 00:11:38
True.
Kami 00:11:39 – 00:12:05
Now, the 3rd of December annually is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. And this year the theme is Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future. How would you say South Africa can better amplify and support the leadership of people with disabilities to create a more inclusive and sustainable environment and future across our sectors?
Luthando Kekana 00:12:06 – 00:12:43
You know what? I think we need to have more voices of persons with disabilities on the table and leadership roles, because right now, currently, what is happening is we have a lot of learnerships that are being offered to persons with disabilities. And as controversial as that may be, I’m actually against those leaderships because they’re not sustainable. If a person is constantly just going to be in leadership and then from one leadership move to the next, move to the next, move to the next, and that’s what has been happening. What happens when they reach 35? Right?
Kami 00:12:44 – 00:12:44
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:12:45 – 00:13:43
Now they cannot be on any other leadership because if truly those initiates were making a difference, then we’ll see fewer and fewer people getting onto leadership because they were getting into entrepreneurship or they were getting into spaces and all of those. But for now, the treasury says that they’re struggling to get entrepreneurs of persons with disabilities to apply for funding or grants or whatever that is available there. Why? Why is it so? Why? We have so many relationships that are being offered. So for me it is the model, the current model is not working. So we need to have more persons with disabilities, therefore, voices amplified mic given to them so that they occupy the boardrooms. But it’s not also just the government that’s supposed to do that or corporate also persons with disabilities. I mean, look at the space around you.
Luthando Kekana 00:13:44 – 00:15:05
What is it that you can do with what you have? Do you make sure that you have a sustainable future not only for yourself, but also as a legacy for your family? So it goes. It just goes one way. And I also think that because of the model that we’ve been using in South Africa, we’ve been using a charity model where we view disability. I mean, even on Mandela Day or something like that, people go like, we’re gonna go and give charity, whatever, to NGOs or persons with disabilities as opposed to teaching them how to fish. But at the same time, I can go on forever at the same time. Also our education system, a lot of people with disabilities do not go to school. So if we’re trying to fix it here, why are we not taking off the issues that are down here? What is access to education? How do I make sure that kids with disabilities get access to education just as everybody else? Do we make our schools universally accessible, that everyone can go to “normal” schools and do we do away with special schools? You know what I mean?
Luthando Kekana 00:15:06 – 00:15:43
If we were to take care of the infrastructure for ECD, we could actually see better fruits. But because right now, I think the problem that we have is the education level of persons with disabilities. Yes. There are those that are highly. I mean, I know doctors and CEOs and serial entrepreneurs with disabilities. But the number. When we’re talking, then when we take in the numbers games, there are a whole lot more other people with disabilities that do not have access to education.
Luthando Kekana 00:15:43 – 00:16:17
Before we even move on, our government is trying. I mean, CFA has got a fund for personal disabilities called Amavulandlela, but for me, it’s inaccessible because of that form. If we’re looking at the biggest gate and we’re talking numbers right here, if 50% of people with disabilities. No, it’s actually much higher. 80% of people with disabilities do not have access to education or did not even finish metric or let alone grade 12, grade 10. And then you have this form that looks like you need a master’s degree to fill it in.
Kami 00:16:18 – 00:16:19
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:16:19 – 00:16:56
That alone is exclusion. You know, no wonder nobody’s accessing those funds. Very, very small numbers of people that are accessing those funds because the application process does not match the efforts that are out there. So I think we also just need to be realistic and also take accountability, both as disabilities also, and also as government and as corporate, and find a way. How do we then address this issue? I mean, if we post apartheid, we then came up with RDP, we came up with BEE, then from BEE didn’t work, we made a triple BEE.
Luthando Kekana 00:16:57 – 00:17:34
What was the purpose of that? Because we knew as a country, we knew as a people where we are, where we want to go and how we’re going to get there and with ourselves that this is where we are as a country. And not everybody’s going to like it because it will exclude those that are a little bit privileged, but I think they have a bit more space and options as opposed to those that do not have any other options. So it’s the same principle when it comes to disability. If we’re not going to be radical about things, nothing much is going to change.
Kami 00:17:35 – 00:18:24
And that’s very true. And I like the perspective that you’ve brought. And I think this is the thing that we also don’t think about addressing the issue from a school level already. Right. Because if there are problems at that level, then honestly rising up in education, going into higher education, those issues need to first start being addressed at a base level so that we’re able to start building on those other levels as well. I think that’s a very interesting perspective. Now, often when we speak about inclusivity, we’re thinking about things like gender and race. But from your experience, what do you believe that we can do to make our spaces more inclusive, especially from an accessibility perspective? Are there any recommendations that you get that you can give to try to mitigate some of these issues and make our spaces more accessible?
Luthando Kekana 00:18:25 – 00:19:09
Yeah, I mean, I think what we need to do is let’s all just be honest that we don’t know what to do and we all just lost instead of just faking it till we make it every day. We don’t know it all, nobody knows it all. We don’t know. And if people can be that vulnerable, we can be that vulnerable as a person. Say, you know what we’re learning, right? There hasn’t been this drive to employ people with disabilities. People with disabilities now got jobs and now they’re out there and they’re trying to compete. So that has never happened for the country, and that has happened to the people of the country.
Luthando Kekana 00:19:09 – 00:19:35
And if we can all just say, okay, how do we all figure it out together? Yeah, pretending that we know. So for me, I prefer if I visit you and you put a wrong ramp and we laugh about like, friend, what’s, what’s what, what, what’s this? And honest enough to say, well, I knew this thing and I was trying to like, ah, okay, fine, it’s not working. But next time. See, now we’re having an honest conversation. It’s candid, it’s not so heavy.
Kami 00:19:36 – 00:19:37
Yes
Luthando Kekana 00:19:38 – 00:20:19
And the next time you know, okay, if this didn’t work, then we’re going to do this. Because right now one of the biggest problems is the financial exclusion people are thinking that having to modify things is expensive. It is not always expensive. It’s just sometimes you just need to adjust. So for me it is the mindset. If we can change our mindset and just be vulnerable as a people, accept that you don’t know everything and we’re learning, we are learning as we go and we sing and tweak as we go, that would be great. That would be one way of being inclusive. Because if all our voices are heard and all our voices are important and our opinions are important, then to hold each other’s hand and move as a, as a people.
Kami 00:20:20 – 00:20:50
That’s so true. And I think that’s the same principle that applies in, like, the areas where we typically think of when we think about inclusivity, like with things like race and gender inclusivity as well is that is the mindset that has turned out to work really well for people is if everyone is vulnerable enough to just say, hey, I don’t know what’s happening. So let’s just help each other out and figure it out together. Yeah. Now, on a lighter note, a fun fact about Luthando is that she’s a nature lover and a thrill seeker. Right.
Kami 00:20:51 – 00:21:01
And I know you’ve dabbled a little bit in some quad biking and some canoeing. So what are your top places to do some of these activities? What places have you done them where you feel like? Yeah, that was awesome.
Luthando Kekana 00:21:02 – 00:21:14
I love Cape Town, right? Yes. To quad bike, the best place to quad bike for me is the Atlantis Dunes in Cape Town Oh, my goodness.
Kami 00:21:15 – 00:21:15
They’re amazing.
Luthando Kekana 00:21:16 – 00:21:43
Oh, my God, look at this. The first time I did it, I was so scared. I really was so scared. But I think I am also a control freak a little bit because I felt like I was losing control. But the thrill of getting back into control was yes. For me. And I also love that there’s another quad biking spot, lots actually in Lanseria. Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:21:44 – 00:22:05
There’s a whole lot of farms in Lanseria that are like going to this also called GZ Adventures. Yes. So also I love to canoe once in a while. Yeah. The Rietvlei dam is beautiful. It’s beautiful. It’s beautiful. And I want to take up jet skiing now.
Kami 00:22:06 – 00:22:11
Do you really? Oh, my goodness, where?
Luthando Kekana 00:22:12 – 00:22:20
I’m probably going to look, there’s a few in Harties and there’s a few in De Waal.
Kami 00:22:20 – 00:22:20
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:22:21 – 00:22:54
So I’m still looking around because the place got to be accessible for me and. Yeah. So if I’m still looking, which one is the most accessible for jet skiing? But in Rietvlei, they’ve got beautiful programs special for canoeing. Call it accessible canoeing. Anyone and anyone can actually do it if you’re of the right age, of course.
Luthando Kekana 00:22:55 – 00:23:26
I just love the freedom that comes with the water as well. You know, sometimes it just feels the world is just too hectic, too busy. But when you are huge. When you’re in the water, you feel so insignificant because you become so small, right? Yes. And everything else just becomes so big. And you realise that, you know what, I am just stuck in the universe and I actually do not have to fix anything. And that’s when you let go and just let life be. So I enjoy that feeling.
Luthando Kekana 00:23:26 – 00:23:30
It’s one of the things that actually calms me down and makes me surrender.
Kami 00:23:31 – 00:23:46
No, I love that. I love that. Cape Town is actually one of my favourite cities in the country for that exact reason. I think there’s water spots all over the country. But something about the water in Cape Town is just so calming. When you hit Cape Town, when you’re flying.
Luthando Kekana 00:23:47 – 00:23:47
Right.
Kami 00:23:48 – 00:23:51
When you hit Cape Town, you feel it. You just have a sense of calm come over you.
Luthando Kekana 00:23:52 – 00:24:04
I love a lot of adventure spots. They really do, you know, you can, whether you want to be on air or you want to be in the water, you want to hit the desert or the forest, Cape Town is the city for you.
Kami 00:24:05 – 00:24:13
You’ve got everything. Exactly. They’re so big on an outdoor lifestyle as well. They just have. Yeah, they just have a lot more range in terms of the things you can do outside.
Luthando Kekana 00:24:14- 00:24:16
Yeah, yeah.
Kami 00:24:17 – 00:24:20
Before I let you go, I would love to play a game of hot takes with you.
Luthando Kekana 00:24:21 – 00:24:21
Great.
Kami 00:24:22 – 00:24:33
How it works is I’m going to ask you a series of rapid fire questions and you’re just going to tell me hot or not. And then if there’s anyone that you want to give a tidbit about, then we can do that as well. Are you ready?
Luthando Kekana 00:24:34 – 00:24:34
Yeah.
Kami 00:24:34 – 00:24:39
Cool. Tell me, how do you feel about kayaking in the Orange River?
Luthando Kekana 00:24:40 – 00:24:43
Love it. Hot.
Kami 00:24:44 – 00:24:46
Visiting haunted houses on Halloween?
Luthando Kekana 00:24:47 – 00:24:47
Nah.
Kami 00:24:48 – 00:24:51
Right. Okay, cool.
Luthando Kekana 00:24:52 – 00:25:08
No, like, for me, I just feel like I think a bit too much and I’m paranoid. So I just feel like, what if some of this stuff is real? Like, how would I know? I’m one of those, actually. At the back of my mind, I do think aliens exist.
Kami 00:25:09 – 00:25:13
So not even at the back of my mind, I’m like right here in the foreground of my mind.
Luthando Kekana 00:25:14 – 00:25:23
The reason I could is like, what if we’re all trick or treating and then, boom, there’s an alien. How am I, how am I to know? How am I to know?
Kami 00:25:24 – 00:25:29
Actually! How do you feel about parasailing?
Luthando Kekana 00:25:30 – 00:25:30
Love it.
Kami 00:25:31 – 00:25:32
Have you been parasailing?
Luthando Kekana 00:25:32 – 00:25:33
No, it’s on my plans.
Kami 00:25:34 – 00:25:38
Ah, okay. Lovely. Watching horror movies with the lights out.
Luthando Kekana 00:25:39 – 00:25:48
No, no. Anything that is scary for me. Supernatural. No. I don’t like being out of control. No.
Kami 00:25:49 – 00:26:01
No. Oh, my goodness. Now, how do you feel about the use of disability as a plot device in movies?
Luthando Kekana 00:26:02 – 00:26:15
You know this? I honestly don’t know. Okay, fine. If the movie is centred around a person with a disability, then the whole lot of people with disabilities are great actors.
Kami 00:26:16 – 00:26:16
Yes.
Luthando Kekana 00:26:17 – 00:26:37
But if it is A stage. Right. That person didn’t have a disability and they don’t have a disability anymore. Yeah, now we can’t really use someone who’s got a disability because it’s not a story. So for me, that depends on how. What the plot is.
Kami 00:26:38 – 00:26:38
Right.
Luthando Kekana 00:26:39 – 00:26:43
So, yeah, it really depends on the plot. For me, it’s neither here nor there.
Kami 00:26:44 – 00:26:49
Okay. How do you feel about canoeing with sharks?
Luthando Kekana 00:26:50 – 00:27:04
Not. I don’t want to be a snack. No, no, thank you. Thank you. What are you? Are you a toy? Are you food? No.
Kami 00:27:04 – 00:27:06
How do you feel about a morning without coffee?
Luthando Kekana 00:27:07 – 00:27:14
Oh, horror. No, it’s as bad as Halloween. No, I want my coffee. I demand my coffee.
Kami 00:27:15 – 00:27:22
That’s scary. I was as bad as Halloween. How do you feel about bungee jumping?
Luthando Kekana 00:27:23 – 00:27:24
Oh, I love it.
Kami 00:27:25 – 00:27:26
Have you been?
Luthando Kekana 00:27:27 – 00:27:54
I have, but I did that so long ago before I actually acquired my disability. And then I wanted to do it in Soweto. I chickened out though, because I don’t know, I just kept on thinking, how am I gonna do it? And yeah, I should have gathered a crowd with me to do it. But it’s. It’s one of those things they still call me. So when you say, when are you coming through? I’m like, I am coming.
Kami 00:27:55 – 00:28:02
I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming. No, if you need some support, I’ll go with you. I’m not about to. I’m not about to.
Luthando Kekana 00:28:03 – 00:28:05
Great stuff. I’ll do that.
Kami 00:28:06 – 00:28:08
And then how do you feel about retail therapy?
Luthando Kekana 00:28:09 – 00:28:12
Oh, anytime, any day. Right now. I’m ready.
Kami 00:28:13 – 00:28:20
Right. And it’s so bad. It’s so bad. We’re not saying shopping addictions. Low key. I’m like, you know what?
Luthando Kekana 00:28:20 – 00:28:22
It is so bad if I don’t have money.
Kami 00:28:23 – 00:28:23
Yeah.
Luthando Kekana 00:28:24 – 00:28:28
I go shopping. I’ll blow my last cent on shopping and I’ll be fine with it.
Kami 00:28:29 – 00:29:06
Right? Because of that, the thing I always say is like, I hate it. I don’t know how you feel, but I hate buying products because I know it’s going to finish. But if I spend my last time like a bag or a thing I can like, look at, whenever I stop regretting my life, I’m like, but it’s so cute. Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much for joining us today. It was really great to hear just your story, to hear about the work that you’re doing. And I think I find it so inspirational. I get up to like, go and find out more and try to do my part as well.
Kami 00:29:07 – 00:29:20
Find out where I can help out. So let us know how we can follow your journey as well, where we can find you on socials online so that we can sort of see what you’re doing and also get involved with some of the organisations that you’re involved with as well.
Luthando Kekana 00:29:21 – 00:29:53
Great stuff. So with the APD, we do APD Greater Johannesburg. You can find us on LinkedIn then my personal social media handles. I am on TikTok. I am on Instagram and Facebook. I think I’m everywhere. And Twitter as well. And my Instagram is Luthando_1 and then on Tik Tok LutLive
Luthando Kekana 00:29:54 – 00:30:13
And yeah, Luthando Kekana should be easy to find. And then on Twitter I’m Tando at one. And yeah, on Facebook it’s just my name. So yes. And I’m also on LinkedIn and so I think I’m on every social media platform you can find out there. But yeah, I’m easy to find on the social space.
Kami 00:30:14 – 00:30:26
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome. So go give Luthando a follow, guys. We’ll also have her details linked in the description box so that you can find her easier. But yeah, thank you so much, Luthando.
Luthando Kekana 00:30:26 – 00:30:31
Thank you so much for having me. This has been so much fun. This was great.