#11 Jul 08, 25

11. Inclusive innovation: co-creating spaces and equity with Bongani Mapumulo

"In order to help people, we need to understand them."

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

- LinkedIn

- Facebook

- Instagram

📧 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 and Guests

Host

Bandile Mndebele

Bandile Mndebele is a passionate advocate for intersectional inclusion, committed to creating equitable and inclusive environments. Their journey began at Stellenbosch University, where they pioneered a gender-neutral initiative, making it the first top South African university to recognize the gender-neutral marker, Mx. Following their academic pursuits, Bandile has held influential roles in various organisations, including serving on the Global Council for DEI and as a PRIDE Network Chair at a major S&P 500 company, where they co-founded Ubuntu South Africa. They have been instrumental in driving initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly for marginalised groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals and neurodivergent people. They have also been recognized for their leadership and impact, receiving awards such as the Top 100 Outstanding LGBT+ Future Leader and Top 100 Outstanding Executive Role Model. Through their podcast, newsletter, and speaking engagements, Bandile shares insights and inspires others to create a more just and equitable world. Their work highlights the importance of intersectional inclusion.

Guest

Bongani Mapumulo

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.