defying disability to reach new heights – Africa.com
As the last notes of a popular song fade away, the presenter in Radio Milaya’s studio adjusts his headphones, tapping his fingers lightly on the soundboard in time with the rhythm. He leans into the microphone, his voice warm, smooth, well-trained, and full of airwaves.
“These are my guests tonight, brothers Ayyub and Shouji. Welcome to the weekend mix show with me, Abraham Malik…” His flawless switching between English and Arabic brings to life South Sudan’s diverse The listener connects, but behind the sound lies a story of resilience and determination.
Abraham may have followed a predictable path through the cattle camps of Wara Butwick, where he was born into a pastoral family. But an accident when he was 10 years old changed the trajectory of his life. He suffered what appeared to be minor injuries, but as time went on, they became more severe, leaving a dangerous gash on his left leg. In a family of cattle farmers, where strength and physical ability determined a boy’s future, this seemed like a devastating setback.
“It was just a little accident,” Abraham recalled. “But the lack of treatment in the village made the situation worse. My father had to sell several bulls to send me to Khartoum for treatment.”
This journey became a turning point. Under his uncle’s care, Abraham stayed in Khartoum and began attending parties.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but that injury changed my life,” he recalled. “Otherwise I would never have gone to school,” he said.
However, living with a visible disability also brings its own challenges. Shame followed him wherever he went, and Abraham soon realized he needed to rise above society’s expectations.
“I knew I had to work harder than everyone else,” he explained. “If people are going to talk about me, I want it to be about my accomplishments, not my limp.”
He also works hard.
Abraham had excellent academic performance and was always ranked among the top three in his class, winning the admiration of his classmates and teachers.
At 13, he discovered a love for communication and became a popular host at school events and a voice for the community. “The microphone became my way of proving that I was more than just a disability,” he said.
Years later, Abraham went on to earn a graduate degree in media studies and launch almasirSouth Sudan’s first Arabic-language newspaper. Today he produces Radio Milaya’s weekend combinationblending music, conversation and community engagement to engage audiences across the country.
But his passion extends beyond the newsroom. A member of the Juba Cycling Club, Abraham is passionate about cycling – a pursuit that many might consider impossible for someone with a physical disability in the legs. “I don’t look like a typical cyclist,” he admits. “But that’s the point – I want to show people that limitations only exist in the mind.”
His first ride with the club was a 150km round trip to Terekika, a difficult challenge even for an experienced cyclist. Abraham had a basic bike and no pro gear, but he exceeded expectations, completed the ride and proved to himself and others that he belonged.
Now, as the club’s information and public relations secretary, he dreams of creating opportunities for other cyclists, envisioning regional training programs and even having South Sudan compete in international competitions such as the Tour de France.
For him, bicycles and journalism represent movement, change and freedom. “Disability is not inability,” he said. “It’s about finding your path and pushing forward, no matter what the obstacles are.”
From cattle ranches to television broadcasts to the open roads of South Sudan, Abraham continues to challenge stereotypes and redefine possibility. “This is not about overcoming a disability,” he stressed. “It’s about embracing it and showing the world that our true strength comes from our differences.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
