11. Inclusive innovation: co-creating spaces and equity with Bongani Mapumulo
Learn how Bongani Mapumulo is transforming accessibility and innovation for students living with disabilities in low-income communities in the Global South on this podcast conversation featuring disability rights, inclusive innovation, and assistive technology trends.
🎙️ About This Episode
In this episode, we talk to Bongani Mapumulo, a leading disability rights advocate and champion of inclusive innovation in South Africa. Bongani shares a personal and professional journey shaped by systemic challenges, transformative learning, and a passion for social and redistributive justice.
With a robust background in Political Science, Sociology, Social Anthropology, and advanced diplomas in Disability & Rehabilitation and Intercultural Communication from Stellenbosch University, Bongani is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Inclusive Innovation at the UCT Graduate School of Business.
His pioneering research focuses on advancing assistive technologies and inclusive design within low- and middle-income contexts, promoting universal access as a foundation for equity and human dignity.
👉 In this episode, we cover:
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:20) - Personal Story
- (01:47) - Challenges and Activism in Student Life
- (05:17) - Institutional Preparedness and Accessibility
- (07:06) - Assistive Technology and Support
- (12:25) - Reasonable Accommodation and Equity
- (22:36) - Intersectionality and Lived Experiences
- (27:48) - Personal Story and Impact
- (28:50) - Navigating Identity and Spaces
- (30:25) - Challenges and Opportunities in Education
- (38:54) - Representation and Inclusion
- (41:24) - Influence of Supportive Figures
- (42:33) - The Importance of Early Belief
- (43:49) - Grassroots Representation
- (44:00) - Unheard Voices and Broader Solutions
- (45:55) - Final Thoughts
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Referenced works
This episode mentions material from Physical Disability and Sexuality: Stories from South Africa (2021), edited by Xanthe Hunt, Stine Hellum Braathen, Mussa Chiwaula, Mark T. Carew, Poul Rohleder, and Leslie Swartz, published by Springer Nature under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Explore Bongani Mapumulo's contributions in Chapter 6 (Physical Disability and Masculinity: Hegemony and Exclusion) and Chapter 7 (Bongani’s Story), whose personal experiences and insights on disability and transformation feature in this discussion.
Available: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-55567-2
Notable Thanks
- Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation
- Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- UCT's Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching One Button Studios
Connect with Bongani
📧 For Speaking & Partnerships
Host Bandile Mndebele is available for speaking, collaborations, features, workshops, and partnership opportunities. To connect, reach out on LinkedIn or via info@bandilem.com.
Creators & Guests
- Bandile Mndebele - Host
- Bongani Mapumulo - Guest