Hurdles of finding a job

To find work in South Africa is not easy – even more so when you are bound to a wheelchair.
Even though the Employment Equity Act states that it is unfair to deny any person a job due to a disability, persons with disabilities are regularly turned down.
Polokwane Observer spoke to two people who are wheelchair-bound – Lehlogonolo Rakolo (33), who found work despite being in a wheelchair and Gladys Makeke (42), who has not been so lucky thus far.
Lehlogonolo lost the use of his legs during a shooting incident six years ago.
At the time, he was a general worker at an advertising company, but resigned as the environment was not wheelchair-friendly.
He moved to Centenary House as a resident and was appointed as placement officer at the Association for Persons with Disabilities in 2017.
Gladys lost the use of her legs after a car crash 15 years ago.
She did not work prior to the incident and now also struggles to find work.
“I can work in a reception and do other admin work. I am also capable of creating things such as jewellery with my hands.”
Both agree that there is nothing wrong with their mental capacity, saying they are as capable to do any kind of work as any able-bodied person.
“If there is someone that would like to give me a chance to show my skills, I would really appreciate it,” Gladys says.