Isitha actress Ontiretse Radipabe is a person living with dwarfism, and she does try to educate others about her condition. Speaking to Sunday World this week, Radipabe, who was born in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, said she often has to deal with social media bullying.
“Some people still do not understand how to treat people with my condition. So they need to be educated about it.
“Social media bullying is everywhere. And I’ve learnt that the people who bully people about their disability, mostly do it for fun. [They] never understand that people with disabilities are also human,” shared Radipabe.
Advocate against social media bullying
Radipabe said she always tries to stand tall and defend anyone and everyone who is a victim of social media bullying. She shared that when she was younger, it used to affect her a lot. This is because people in many communities don’t know how to handle or even be around people with dwarfism.
In 2022, she moved to Johannesburg to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Landing a role on eTV’s The Black Door was the validation she had been looking for, for years.
“I started off as a presenter on YoTV. And I believe patience and perseverance got me to this point. Getting into television is something I have always wanted my whole life. I knew that one day I’d get the chance.”
She is also part of the Moja Love reality show Giants of the City. The series follows the lives of people who live with dwarfism.
Dream come true
“When I got the opportunity to be part of the show, I saw this as an opportunity to embrace who I am. To also show the world that people with disabilities are also human. I am proud to be who I am and I’ll always be.”
In the next five years, she plans to have her own television show. She wants to grow her craft as an actor by being more exposed to stuff done behind the scenes.
She is currently on Isitha, which plays on e.TV at 9:30pm from Monday to Friday.
