Mavis Nkosi, an activist from the Welbedacht community, was honored with the Lotus FM Women of Substance 2026 award in the category dedicated to people with disabilities. This award represents significant recognition of her years of work supporting and empowering people with disabilities.
The 63-year-old Nkosi, who has spent decades advocating for the rights of people with disabilities while also assisting vulnerable women and families, expressed surprise at receiving the award. She shared that she felt 'humble, blessed, shocked, excited, and completely overwhelmed with emotion.'
Nkosi noted that all her competitors were strong and inspiring women, and she genuinely believed one of them would win. She emphasized that this award significantly boosts the self-confidence of women like her who overcome challenges related to disability in daily life.
However, her journey began long before receiving this recognition. Born on the South Coast in Mkhomazi, Nkosi grew up in an unstable family environment, frequently moving between relatives and experiencing the painful feeling of childhood rejection. As an infant, she contracted polio, which resulted in irreversible physical impairment in her lower limbs and the need to use crutches for mobility.
Instead of letting childhood hardships or physical limitations define her future, she relied on her faith and determination to build a life focused on serving the community. She realized early on that many people with disabilities in marginalized settlements are isolated, hidden, or deprived of basic opportunities.
In 2009, Nkosi formalized her passion by registering the Fundani Disability Organisation as a non-profit entity. The organization was established with a clear goal: to reach the most needy members of the disability community, educate families, and advocate for equal rights and visibility.
Working without a formal office building or administrative headquarters, Nkosi conducts her work in the field. She states: 'I always say that the community is my office.' She clarifies that she can be in many places daily—from city meetings to hospitals, the Department of Social Welfare, churches, and her home—and her crutches never hinder her movement when she is healthy.