KABOKWENI – He was nominated for his lead role in Xola 2. It is a feature film produced by Favour Media and The National Film. The gala event took place over the weekend in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mogale acted in Xola, Imfihlo and Xola 2 on Mzansi Magic (DStv). He was up against Daniel Kojo Delong (Ghana), Ruhabiro Raymond (Uganda), Cojack Chilo (Tanzania) and Melvin Alusa (Kenya) for the award. He said even though he had not won as best actor, the welcome-back celebration he received, was amazing and the support he had before the event, was beyond his imagination.

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“Even if I did not come back with the award my community in Nsikazi, the people of this province, the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs celebrated my achievements.

“On my arrival on Sunday, I found that the community members had arranged a welcome-back event that made me feel like a president. They went all out to celebrate my nomination and it was a great ceremony. The HODs for the two departments made sure that I know that this is my time. I know for sure I have placed Mpumalanga on the map through this nomination.”

According to him, the highlight is that when he was nominated he was chosen as a person, not someone living with disabilities. Mogale was born without arms, although this has never stopped him from living his dreams.

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He had a successful career as a swimmer and has also ventured into farming.

“It was an overwhelming feeling when I realised that the moment in which I am regarded as a person is happening. When I was selected they did not look at my disability, they looked at my work. They saw a male actor. I think I was the only person living with disabilities on the list of actors I was competing against and this really stood out for me.

Some people are not aware that I was not nominated for a competition for people living with disabilities,” he explained.

Mogale approached the culture, sport and recreation department to assist him with travelling expenses to attend the award ceremony and it responded positively by sponsoring him.

Sibongile Nkosi of this department said, “We are very proud to be associated with a person of Mogale’s calibre. He has managed to break many barriers and he continues to surprise and make us proud as a country and particularly as the people of Mpumalanga.”