Soneni Gwizi on championing representation in the media

Soneni Gwizi also known as Thandeka by her radio listeners, is a broadcaster, media trainer and motivational speaker among other talents. AWiM News speaks to her to find out how she has been championing conversations and representation for persons with disability within African media.

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The fragrant and appetising smell of a traditional Zimbabwean dish hit my visual senses as Soneni Gwizi tells me she is enjoying a home-cooked meal.

Excited, I ask her what she cooked.

“I made Sadza, our beloved staple food in Zimbabwe, with beef stew and cabbage,” Soneni says.

She adds: “I have to say thank you too for normalising the situation, for being inclusive.”

In society, there are many misconceptions when it comes to disability where a lack in knowledge and awareness can cause people’s perceptions to be based upon false beliefs.

From the misconception that all persons with disability are unable to cook or work in the media, front and centre, on-screen and live to being defined by their disability, Soneni is a radio and TV host diminishing these myths.

“As we say in the disability community, we are made disabled by the environment that we live in,” she explains, “Disability is just a condition.”

Soneni has navigated the challenges that come with a disability but every day she chooses to live by the truth and confidence that her condition doesn’t define who she is or her future.

Her career in the media industry first developed from a love of broadcasting which formed during her communications class.

“There was a day when my comms teacher told me that I talked too much and that caught my attention,” she says.

Instead of being offended by the comment, Soneni start to think about how she could use her voice positively.

“I started to listen to the radio and tv more, specifically news channels and I would imitate the news readers,” she continues.

Her love for storytelling had grown and was more evident than before. It was undeniable.

“When I watched the news I started realise a common problem which was the lack of positive stories on persons with disability,” the broadcaster expresses, “As a little girl I didn’t know of anyone with a disability that I could say was my role model and that’s because no one had taken the time to profile them.”

Eager to change this, she saw her career in media was not only a passion but a calling.

Although the journey along the way has not always been easy.

Dr Tsitsi Chataika, a Disability inclusion expert based in Zimbabwe explains that: “Women with disability face double marginalisation as they identify with two marginalised groups in society”.

For African women in the media, there are countless barriers that one has to face. In Soneni’s career as an African woman with OI, working as a broadcaster, she has experienced multiple barriers that intersect in her life.

“I have played so many roles, the professional broadcaster, the disabled woman and then the role as Soneni, the citizen,” the Zimbabwean highlights, “Most people are not aware that sometimes I have to remove my head as a person with a disability to focus on being a professional,”

She adds: “Other times I need to remove that professional hat to be the woman with a disability that speaks for myself and represents others with disabilities because no one else can really express the issues we face, except if you’re wearing the shoes yourself.”

When Soneni was given her first ever programme to host in Bulawayo and it was based on a disability theme, she questioned whether it was because of her condition.

“I wondered why somebody else wasn’t given it but soon realised why it was so important that I did it,” the broadcaster tells us, “I needed to represent the Zimbabweans with a disability and be an encouragement that they too could follow their heart.”

Whilst navigating different barriers in the media, Soneni wouldn’t change her journey: “I have managed to find myself within the media space and because I have the knowledge, passion and stand for what I believe in which is speaking for the voiceless for persons with disabilities, I will continue to seek change.”

Spending several enjoyable years in radio, even gaining the new name: ‘Thandeka’ which means ‘Beloved’ from her audience who saw her as a friend to all, joyful and loving, she is hanging up her radio presenting shoes for the time being.

Still perusing change, Soneni is now transforming the journalism industry as a media trainer.

Through facilitating media workshops in Zimbabwe where she trains journalists and bloggers how to write disability stories inclusively and accurately, she hopes the media industry will become an inclusive space for all persons with disability to be represented and heard.

“The more disability inclusion we have in the media, the more we can give the younger generation of persons with disabilities, role models they can see themselves in,” the media trainer declares.

With every real-life story that describes turmoil and challenges to overcome, Soneni believes the following question is always HOW?

How did that person see the light at the end of the tunnel?

“The HOW for me is what pushes a disabled person to say I want to be just like her – that’s my storytelling,” She voices.

The disability media facilitator is not only fervent to see change at the media level but also advocates for inclusive education: “I constantly say that persons with disabilities need to receive education, but that education must start from the infrastructure and that infrastructure has to be disability friendly.”

While digitalisation has advanced education accessibility through the introduction of online classes and courses, on-the-ground learning in Africa has yet to implement disability-friendly services and adapt classrooms across the board.

In a 2020 report by UNESCO, they highlighted eight key areas of concern affecting women and girls with disability in Zimbabwe. Among the key challenges was the lack of sign language support services in schools, health facilities, police stations and courts. Sanitary wear support in the same institutions was also among the limited services provided.

Soneni explains a current issue within local schools: “In Zimbabwe Science classes are all upstairs so if there is a student with a disability that wants to do sciences, It means they are now forced to drop them and do arts.”

For young children and teenagers who are disabled, this can be discouraging and leave them feeling like they are out of options.

But as Soneni has shown through her own life and career journey, there is no limitation when it comes to what you can do, disability is just a condition.

Empowered to empower others, the activist also spends her time doing school motivation talks where she teaches children at primary and high school about disability.

“Every time I go to speak at these schools, there is always an unmissable, exciting energy that fills up the room and it fills me with so much joy having those kids there, talking to them and hearing them speak too,” she tells me.

With over 100 children attending the talks, Soneni is dedicated to building awareness of disability with the youth of today so they can be at the forefront of shifting mindsets.

Her goal is for everyone to see the world through an inclusive lens.

“I remember when one the children told me they had never come across a person with a disability and they said but ma’am, now that I’ve seen you, I know that I’m supposed to help someone,” she recalls, “that moment humbled me much.”

Another child she spoke to told her that they have a sister with a disability and want to be there for her more.

“It’s in these moments when the change becomes tangible for me,” Soneni expresses, “ I can see the life-changing moments that are happening and it reminds me that I am making a difference.”

One step at a time, one battle at a time, Soneni’s motto is to hit life head-on, fearlessly.

“I am a person that believes when you see something you want, you conquer it.”

Working as an ambassador for ADD International and TB Champion Zim and becoming an award winner for her hard work, Soneni is an example to all persons with a disability that they can champion the media industry too.

This article is part of the African Women in Media (AWIM) Graduate Trainee Programme in collaboration with Fojo Media Institute.