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 EpisodeIn 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 ▶️ Listen Now & SubscribeEnjoyed this? Hit follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on YouTube to never miss powerful stories. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to lead your life without emotionally buffering, you’re in good company here.Referenced worksThis 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/10.1007/978-3-030-55567-2Notable 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 & PartnershipsHost 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