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A near-death experience inspired Andile “MC Pholobas” Ngcobo to establish an online radio station that caters to the needs of people living with disabilities.
Ngcobo, who has albinism, said: “[After] plying my trade with Izwi Lomzansi FM, which is based in KwaZulu-Natal, I was yearning to establish a platform for people living with disabilities because of their exclusion [from mainstream media].”
Ngcobo (33) plucked up the courage to start an online radio station in 2020, after 11 years of working for Izwi Lomzansi. His station was initially called Siyaviva Online Radio, but has since changed to Masiqoqane Online.
He operates it from his two-bedroom flat because he cannot yet afford rent for a studio space.
The station aims to uplift and empower people living with disabilities, and to dispel misconceptions about disabilities and disabled individuals.
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“The killing of people living with albinism and other disabilities could be addressed if they are given a platform in mainstream television and radio broadcasting. As someone who is living with albinism, I was almost murdered by gunshot [in 2016].”
Ngcobo was hospitalised in late 2016 after being shot on his way to work a midnight to 3am shift at Izwi Lomzansi. Two months prior to that, he was attacked and robbed in what he believed to be an attempt to use his remains for muthi.
“I think that my being vocal about our plight [of the killing of people living with albinism] angered a lot of people. There was a belief among some witchdoctors that if someone was popular and living with albinism, that person [would make for] strong muthi. They started assaulting me, saying that I would sleep at Bra Jesus’ house and they were going to be rich. One of them shot me in the leg, but luckily the car I was waiting for arrived and they ran away. I was afraid that I would also disappear without a trace and that my family would never see me again.”
Until today, he strives to educate communities that people living with albinism are normal human beings, they simply have a genetic condition that limits or inhibits melanin production. Melanin is a chemical that determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes.
Siyaviva Online Radio broadcasts 24/7 and is manned by 30 volunteer staff members who include presenters, technical producers and content producers.
Mlamli Mpinge, the station’s programmes manager, also has albinism. He joined the team about three years ago.
“I also present a Sunday show called Hlakula Okulimile [reap what you sow], which is from 9am to midday. From the first day I set foot here, I knew that I had found a home. I [was previously] with another radio station that I cannot mention, unfortunately. I had a lot of challenges and I could not read the programme print as it was too small. However, here at Siyaviva everything is on large print, which makes my job a lot easier,” he said.
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“I was troubled when she said that some of her family and community were having difficulties accepting her situation and, as a result of her speech impediment, she was not taken seriously and no one listened to her views,” Mpinge said.
He visits communities to educate them about disabilities.
He said:
The job, albeit taxing in its demands for advocacy, has been fulfilling. Mpinge says:
