From a very young age, Mumsie Odirile discovered her love for performing. Her earliest spark came from watching her older sister study drama in high school. That influence led her to audition for a local radio drama series, where she earned her first professional role at just six years old. What began as a childhood opportunity grew into more than a decade of experience and laid a strong foundation for her acting career. She later advanced her skills through formal training, earning a Diploma in Theatre Arts from Algonquin College in Canada and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Botswana. 

Acting has shaped her identity in profound ways. She describes it as a space that gives her confidence, purpose, and connection with others. “What I love most about this profession is that it allows me to step into the shoes of other people and live out their truth for a given period of time. Acting is being. It helps me understand and appreciate people’s challenges and differences a lot better.” Over the years, she has appeared in productions including Makgabaneng, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Ntwakgolo, and the much-loved Botshelo Jo, where she played the character “Faith.” 

In June 2025, she travelled to Nairobi to participate in the Inclusive Africa Conference. On a panel discussion titled The Creative Economy – Opportunities and Gaps, she spoke about her experiences navigating the creative industry as an actress with a disability. “The Inclusive Africa Conference was a beautiful experience. Very well-curated and truly captured the essence of the conference, to be inclusive. I enjoyed being in the same room with other people like me, and for a change, we made up the majority in the room. That was refreshing!” she recalls. She also emphasized the importance of such platforms in amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities by creating space for networking and meaningful conversations with stakeholders. 

Her path in the creative industry has not been without obstacles. At auditions, she has often encountered stereotypes that overshadow her talent. “Our industry is rather superficial because looks do matter. Even though I bring a beautiful performance, they are often hesitant to cast people like me. But I make it a mission to show up at auditions anyway, to remind them they need to start writing for us too.” She chooses to view rejection as redirection, quoting her favorite reminder: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. A rejection is often a redirection, a positive redirection.” 

In 2021, she added entrepreneurship to her pursuits by establishing TM Collections Boutique, a fashion brand built on the philosophy of confidence and self-expression. “I have always embraced the concept of ‘look good, feel good.’ But I realized there’s still a stereotype to break, where people say things like, ‘You look so good for someone in a wheelchair.’ I want to change that narrative. My wheelchair is an extension of my style, not a limitation.” 

Through her social media presence as the “WheelchairBabe,” where she has more than 58,000 followers, she shares fashion and personal stories to shift perceptions. “It’s about showing that beauty, talent, and ability come in many forms. I want to show up boldly because visibility matters.” 

Recognition for her work and advocacy came in 2023 when she received the Her Abilities Award, a moment she describes as affirming and motivating. “To be nominated and voted for by the public showed me that I am on the right path, and God is fulfilling a purpose in me and through me. It gave me the push to continue sharing my story for the greater good.” 

Mumsie also invests time in encouraging young girls with disabilities who aspire to work in the creative industry. “Study your craft. Step into those audition rooms confidently and blow them away. Do not allow yourself to be looked down upon or spoken down to. You deserve a seat at that table, don’t ever doubt that.” 

Her definition of inclusion extends beyond participation. She envisions structural changes that allow true access. “Accessibility means being able to perform on the same stages as everyone else, not through back doors or being lifted up the stairs. It means making sign language and captioning available. Most of all, it means writing stories with people with disabilities to highlight the person first.” 

From her first performance as a child to international panels and global recognition, Mumsie continues to reshape perceptions of disability in the creative industry. “I have never allowed my disability to define the trajectory of my life. I have made it the fuel to my success because I know that somebody out there is watching. They need me to push through these challenges so they can know, for a fact, that all things are possible,” she concludes. 

Story by Faith Rimas, Communications Assistant, inABLE