Lois Strachan

**To book a disability coaching discovery call with Lois, go to https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/

In today’s episode of Job Talk, Lois speaks with Winston Fani, South Africa’s first qualified blind tour guide.

We chat about Winston’s early life in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the reason he moved to Cape Town (hint: it was to follow the love of his life), and his start in the tourism and hospitality field.

Winston also shares a little about some of his tours, including a street art walking tour, and his forthcoming tours incorporating wine and diamonds – two of South Africa’s big tourist attractions.

To book for Winston’s street art tour, contact AWOL Tours as below:

Website: https://www.awoltours.co.za

Mobile: +27 83 2346 428

Email: [email protected]

You can also find out more on the Cape Town Tourism website at https://www.capetown.travel/cape-town-tourism-unveils-first-of-its-kind-limitless-vision-of-inclusivity/#google_vignette

Podcast Image description: Winston is sitting on a bench outdoors, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and a patterned dark waistcoat. He's got his dark glasses on and he's got his hands crossed under his chin and over his cane

Photo credit: Tania Robbertze.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

As a podcast host I am usually the one posing the questions. Today I’m sharing an episode from one of my favourite podcasts, where I am the one in the hot seat, facing the questions.

If you are not already following Reimagining Life Podcast : from Pain to Purpose, I’d suggest subscribing so you can catch all RiRi’s shows as soon as they are published. I’m given the links to the show and to RiRi’s socials below.

Reach out to RiRi and the Reimagining Life podcast at:

Podcast feed: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reimagininglifepodcast

Social media: https://linktr.ee/reimagininglifepodcast

e-mail: [email protected]

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Anel Coetzee, a legal practitioner who is visually impaired.

Anel speaks openly and honestly about her experiences looking for, finding and transitioning into work, first as a practicing attorney, and then shifting into the corporate world where she currently works as a legal advisor.

This is a valuable episode for anyone considering the legal field, studying towards a law degree, and anyone working in human resources or recruitment in the industry. Anel shares several useful ideas for students and candidate attorneys throughout the show that may also be useful for people looking for employment in other industries.

Reach out to Anel at:

e-mail: [email protected]

Blog: https://www.facebook.com/alifeafterblindness?mibextid=LQQJ4d

SAVI Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/621093669393207

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Brittany McCormick, a woman living with Cerebral Palsy who uses her passion for motivational speaking to shift people’s awareness of how to overcome challenges. Brittany chats about how discovering her love of speaking turned her wish to make a difference from a spark into a flame.

Brittany also discusses The Purpose Walk, a highly successful and ambitious fundraising campaign she undertook to raise funds to assist a local school for learners with disabilities.

Reach out to Brittany and follow her journey on:

Website: https://www.brittanymccormick.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrittanyMcCormickofficial

Instagram: @Brittany McCormick Official

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-mccormick-6b635a207?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Katie Selby, paraeducator and advocate, on her experience of growing up with a learning disability.

During the conversation we discuss Katie’s schooling and college education, how she learned to self-advocate and how she teaches that important skill to the students with whom she now works.

We also talk about the book Katie has started writing, that was inspired by her reading of Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn't Happen by Nina G.

And, of course, I jump at the chance to learn a little about Katie’s adorable rescue dogs, Barney and Fred, who have their own Facebook page.

Reach out to Katie at: Instagram: https://instagram.com/collegematerialgirl?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047780778306&mibextid=haYZDX

Fred and Barney’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/manyadventuresofbarneyandfred?mibextid=ZbWKwL

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s episode Lois speaks with the co-founders of Smergos, Nicole Vergos and Nick Smit, about their organisation and the work they do enabling disability employment.

During the conversation we discuss:

• The founding of Smergos

• How they became involved in the disability employment space,

• The challenges facing disabled people seeking employment and the employers themselves,

• The work that Smergos does

• Advice for disabled persons seeking employment.

Reach out to Smergos at:

Web: www.smergos.com

LinkedIn: https://www.facebook.com/Smergos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Smergos

Instagram: @Smergos

e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s bumper episode Lois speaks with disability and inclusion specialist, Lidia Pretorius.

During the conversation we chat about Lidia’s involvement with the disability sector in Africa, the importance of allyship and how to be a good ally for the disabled community. We also discuss online and digital inclusion. Lidia shares useful ideas on ways to improve the way you show up in both areas.

Reach out to Lidia at:

Social media: https://linktr.ee/DisabilityMojoCoach

Web: https://disabilitymojocoach.co.za

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s episode Lois speaks with fellow podcaster, RiRi on the launching of the Reimagining Life Podcast: from Pain to Purpose

During the conversation we chat about RiRi’s own journey with chronic pain and how it led her to start the podcast as a resource for others, as well as some of the tools and techniques RiRi uses to manage her condition and move forward with all she plans to do.

Reach out to RiRi at:

Social media: linktr.ee/reimagininglifepodcast

Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reimagininglifepodcast

e-mail: [email protected]

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Marthe-Marie Kohne, founder of Abilities without Limits, about the work being done by Abilities without Limits and Marthe-Marie’s experience of living with Cerebral Palsy.

We also talk about writing and Marthe-Marie’s co-authorship of two books, one in English and one in Afrikaans.

Support Marthe-Marie on World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October 2023 – more details on the Abilities without Limits website.

Books mentioned in the episode:

"Forgotten Women: The South African story” –available on https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Woman-South-African-Story-ebook/dp/B08DY8Q5PF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Forgotten+Woman+South+African+story&qid=1694174760&s=books&sr=1-1

" Spoorsnyers vir God”- contact Marthe-Marie for copies.

Reach out to Marthe-Marie at:

Web: https://www.abilitieswithoutlimits.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abilitieswithoutlimits

Mobile: +27 82 895 3917

e-mail: [email protected]

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.

Inclusion specialist Jeremy Opperman returns to speak to us on a strategy to improve levels of the employment of persons with disabilities in a holistic way.

Topics covered in this far-ranging discussion with Jeremy and Lois include:

• The concept of disability confidence and how it affects all aspects of a company’s operations

• Moving disability employment beyond just HR

• Using corporate social investment to stimulate disability empowerment and corporate ROI

• The perceived challenge of connecting disabled job seekers with employment opportunities

• The complex question of learnerships

• Shifting attitudinal barriers that prevent employment

• Advice for HR professionals wishing to increase disability confidence in their organisations.

If you missed our previous conversations on this topic, you will find them here:

82 Legislative Compliance, https://iono.fm/e/1321839

83 The Reality Check: https://iono.fm/e/1328188

84 The Business Case for Disability Inclusion: https://iono.fm/e/1332185

Reach out to Jeremy at:

Web: www.disabilitydesk.co.za

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-opperman

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com