Celebrating another year of Growth and Perseverance for our learners

Multotec has had a positive impact on so many lives. Our learners with disabilities are superheroes, who now have a home at Multotec. They have been brave enough to share their stories. Read more to extend your awareness of disabilities and be inspired!

Nobantu Evans: Business Admin Learner – 2019 - 2020
Permanent: 3 August 2021. Shipping Admin Clerk

My name is Nobantu Sophia Evans, and I am living with a disability. I am an ostomate and I have a urostomy and an ileostomy. My disability is a part of me but does not define who I am. I am my own type of normal. 

I was born with congenital malformation that can affect many parts of the body. In my case, it affected my gastrointestinal tract, my renal tract and my spine (resulting in scoliosis). I also have Marfan Syndrome which affected my body structure and growth. 

My mother was always told that her child would never be like “normal” children who grow up to have careers, find love and function in society. Understandably, this was during the 80’s; information was not readily available as it is now, leaving people uninformed.

Fast-forward to the present, I am a fully functioning adult with a blossoming career. I have done many things in my life that I never dreamed I would do. I have been on the radio, participated in interviews, and got married. In my own small way, I try to educate people about my disability. 

It is very difficult for a Person with Disability (PWD) to secure and retain employment without the right support structure. A confidence boost is crucial for us to perform at our best. What I find especially disheartening are stories of employers only hiring people with disabilities to “decorate” the office in the name of inclusion, without actually giving them an opportunity to prove their worth. Or believing that we are not capable of handling the work. To the contrary, we are more than capable of doing any work to the best of our ability.

People with disabilities do not need pity or a hand-out; we need a hand up. I believe Multotec embodies this by empowering Persons with Disability through its  various learnership opportunities . 

My start at Multotec was a bit shaky as I kept falling ill and needed time off for various doctors’ appointments. The compassion and support I received from my managers and colleagues was overwhelming and boosted my confidence. 

I am proud to say I am part of the Multotec family because this company saw potential in me. I started as a learner in the exports department and through my hard work and determination, I am now a permanently employed shipping administration clerk in the same department.  

Persons with disabilities have dreams and ambition like other human beings. We dream of having careers, owning homes and having families, just like everyone else. I have chosen to live my life in a way that inspires others like me, to show that we can live our lives to the fullest. I am different to make a difference. 

Learn more about ostomy here (graphic content warning for sensitive viewers) and here. 

Precious Nonhlanhla Simelane: Learner: 2020 FTC: Finance
Permanent: 1 February 2020: Wedgewire: Office Administrator

My name is Precious Nonhlanhla Simelane. I was born and raised in Soweto and I am mother to a 3 year-old boy. I was born with a rare condition called Moebius Syndrome. It affects my facial muscles, speech and my eyesight. It can be difficult for able bodied people to understand and accept me because they do not understand my syndrome.

People living with disabilities are often stereotyped and face various challenges in the workplace because of this, including various misconceptions, such as:
•    We are naturally incompetent and need to be pitied
•    We should stay home and be supported by the government through  social grants
•    We have not gleaned any workplace skills, such as computer skills
•    We do not have a social life
•    We do not deserve any respect (we’re often asked very invasive questions or are ridiculed).
•    We can only perform simple tasks such as document collection from the photocopier, refill water glasses, etc. 

My childhood was fairly normal, as I attended mainstream schools and had able-bodied friends. Kids can, however, be mean; I was teased for how I look and speak. As a result, I am a very shy introvert.

My journey with Multotec started on the 3rd of August 2020, when I participated in a Business Administration NQF 4 Learnership, which I completed successfully. I was placed in the finance department, under the supervision of Audrey Roestoff-Croukamp. Everyone in the department put in the effort to ensure I fully understood the job requirements. They treated me like an able-bodied person, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. 

I am thankful to Multotec for its approach to persons with disabilities. We carry out real work; we are not left to sit in the sun and do nothing. I am grateful to say that after completion of the learnership, I was employed permanently in Wedge Wire as an office administrator. This company believes in its people.

I believe I have proven that I am more than my syndrome and I am looking forward to growing more, not only within the company but also with it. I made a decision to not feel sorry for myself, as I did not choose my syndrome. I live my life to the fullest; I am a doting mother, with a promising career. I am content with who I am and where I’ve come from. Watch this space. 

Moebius syndrome is a rare congenital (present at birth) condition that results from underdevelopment of the facial nerves that control some of the eye movements and facial expressions. The condition can also affect the nerves responsible for speech, chewing and swallowing. Learn more here.