Ontiretse Radipabe: ‘People with disabilities are also human’

Ontiretse Radipabe: ‘People with disabilities are also human’

Isitha: The Enemy actress Ontiretse Radipabe, who lives with dwarfism says she often has to deal with social media bullying.

ONTIRETSE RADIPABE: ‘SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING IS EVERYWHERE’

The former YoTV personality, Ontiretse Radipabe tells Sunday World that she tries to educate others about her condition.

“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.”

Radipabe adds that she always tries to stand tall and defend anyone and everyone who is a victim of social media bullying.

When she was younger, being bullied used to affect her a lot because people in many communities don’t know how to handle people with dwarfism.

The actress and TV personality started off as a presenter on SABC1’s kiddies show YoTV. She believes patience and perseverance got her to this point. Getting into television is something she’s always wanted her whole life.

When she got the Isitha role, she saw it as an opportunity to embrace who she is. This was her chance to show the world that people with disabilities are also human.

HER ROLE IN ‘ISITHA: THE ENEMY’

The actress and TV presenter Oriretse Radipabe portrays the role of Martha, a domestic worker in the telenovela Isitha: The Enemy.

She also stars on Moja LOVE reality show, Giants of the City, a series that follows the lives of people who live with dwarfism.

Radipabe told ZiMoja in 2022 that she was in a relationship, and it took her time to find love as she was looking for someone genuine.

“I am in a relationship. Men will always be men. You always have to build trust and it takes time and patience and hope they don’t disappoint you.”

Isitha: The Enemy received 4 million viewers on e.tv in March and became the second most-watched TV show on e.tv after House of Zwide.