Victor Mecoamere

Victor Mecoamere

"Disabled but able" is a phrase that is often used to educate society. It is also used to highlight discrimination against people who are physically handicapped.

The office on the status of disabled people in the presidency and the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (Nemisa) came together recently to empower a group of physically disabled people.

Nemisa is an educational institution mandated by the Communications Department to contribute and to help bridge the digital divide in South Africa and the rest of Africa - with particular emphasis on broadcasting and multimedia industry.

Frank Chikane, the director-general in the presidency, and the ambassador of the Flanders government, Yves Wantens, officially welcomed the students who are attending the electronic media training programme at Nemisa's offices in Braamfontein, in Johannesburg.

The training programme is part of a project implemented by the office in the presidency. It is funded by the Flanders government.

Forty candidates with various disabilities are being trained in television production, radio production, website design and computer animation.

After the group completes the course, the presidency, in partnership with Nemisa, is expected to place the candidates in internship programmes in the media industry.