10 Questions For: Nicolene Mostert

Founder of the non-profit organisation (NPO) One Chance At Life (OCAL) Global, this inspiring innovator believes “that our success is not measured by our own achievements in life, but rather what we have helped others to achieve and accomplish”.

1. How would you describe what you do for a living?

I am lucky enough to live my dream; to wake up every single morning and follow a passion, a fire that was ignited within my soul over three years ago at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. That morning, myself and a team of amputee athletes set off to summit the Roof of Africa. I looked at these incredible people – the ones the world label as ’disabled’ – and it was at that moment that I realised that there is NO such thing as disability; there are only differently abled individuals.

2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
At the age of four I remember melting a whole slab of chocolate in the microwave and feeding my baby brother the whole thing! 

3. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?

1. The late President Nelson Mandela, the father of our nation. I would love to sit and look into those gentle eyes and just talk and listen to him. I feel I share a certain dream with him; a passion to make South Africa and the world a better place. And to hear that magical voice of his in person, to thank him for what his sacrifice meant to us as a nation, and to assure him that his legacy lives on… That would be incredible!

2. Angelina Jolie. She really is a massive role model for me. She was the wild girl that became a mother and now one of the most iconic humanitarians. I would love to hear her life story and learn from her.

3. Prince Harry. Again, I feel like I share a certain goal and passion with him. He recently hosted the Invictus games which focused on differently abled individuals. And I believe he will bring a bit of banter and fun to the table.

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?
This is a tough one because there are so many to choose from… I would have to go with one of the songs I sing in the car with my soon-to-be eight-year-old daughter: Alan Walker, ‘Faded’. It’s a real KA-POW song!

5. How would you complete this sentence? The South African cabinet should include a Minister of_________________.

Fun, Adventure and Parenthood.

6. What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
People often think that I am a social butterfly and that I enjoy going out and being around lots of people but I am actually a total house mouse! I love spending time at home with my family, having chilled, rustic weekends in the middle of nowhere with as little contact with the outside world as possible… #bliss.

7. What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
I have been lucky enough to travel quite a bit and I can honestly say I feel blessed to live in the best city in the world. From the mountains to the beaches… I find myself often thinking: “Wow, I live in a postcard” and I am so blessed to be raising my daughter here.

8. What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
I think like most people I had some self-doubt and self-belief issues accompanied by that fear of not being good enough. At some stage you need to realise that fear has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run OR Face Everything And Rise; only you can choose which meaning to attribute to it. I chose the second option every time.  

9. What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?

I would like to change the use of the word “disabled” to “differently abled” in the global vocabulary and rewrite the legislation of our country around “disability” to make it “differently abled”.

10. Which well- known South African personality would you, without a doubt, be able to beat in a street fight and why?  
I am more of a lover than a fighter ;) but the only time I will fight is to fight for differently abled people to be seen and referred to as that instead of disabled!

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ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:

CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-known and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates.

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

Texas Battle Foundation Founder Texas Battle

Cape Town Start-up Giant Vinny Lingham

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