My Life and Work as a South African Soap Star

MY LIFE AND WORK AS A SOUTHAFRICAN SOAP STARKosie SchoemanWorld Down Syndrome CongressAugust 2012

MY LIFE AND WORK AS A SOUTH AFRICANSOAP STARAbstractAfter having been one of the first group of children with DownSyndrome to start attending a mainstream school in South Africain the early nineties, I have worked my way through schoolattending ordinary classes up to Grade 9. My schooling preparedme for the world of work and also how to be socialised into thecommunity. I now have a job at the University of Pretoria as amessenger and a bookbinder and I also make regular appearanceson the well-known South African daily soap opera, Sewende Laan.I have been interviewed on national TV to talk about my life andwork and think that I have changed people’s opinions about whatpersons with Down Syndrome can achieve and become valuedcitizens.

WHO AM I?• I am Kosie Schoeman• I was born on Guy Fawkes Day - 5 November 1986• My full name is Johannes Jacobus and I am named aftermy grandfather.• My home language is Afrikaans.• I was born with Down Syndrome in my genes.• I have one extra chromosome in each cell of my body.• I was born like that and it does not bother me.• My whole family loves me just the way I am.

Me with myIbrother,sister andfriends whenwe weresmall

WHEN I WAS SMALL• When I was small I went to Goggies Nursery School at theUniversity of Pretoria.• My teacher was Marietjie Couvaras. She taught me to readwith Bliss Symbols and how to speak better.• When I had to go to school in 1993, my mother wanted me togo to Pretoria-Oos Primary School which is close to our homebut the school and parents did not want to have a class forchildren with Down Syndrome.• So I went to Oost-Eind Primary School where MarietjieCouvaras was also my teacher.• There I learnt to read and write.• I was sad when Marietjie died in a car accident.

NurserySchoolI started readingwhen I was 4 withBliss symbols.Reading improvedmy speech.

Minette and II did some naughtythings.I ran away fromschool with MinetteSwart. I had to gowith her because Ihad to protect her.When we got backMarietjie was angry.

MY PRIMARY SCHOOL YEARS• In 1996 I went to Laerskool Pretoria-Oos where I stayed for 5years.• I was one of the first children with Down Syndrome to attendan ordinary class in an ordinary school.• I went up to Grade 5 and learnt a lot. My grandmother helpedme with my homework.• I made many friends – Nina Phillips, Henda and Katrien Scott,Cari Swanepoel and Carissa Nel. I am still friends with most ofthem.• I could walk to school but one day after school I got a lift withFransi Phillips in her Renault when my feet were burning onthe hot tar.• From that day on we have been friends. Fransi is a writer andshe is my best friend who helped me to write this speech.

AFTER SCHOOL• My schooling in the mainstream made it possiblefor me to get a job at the University of Pretoria.• There I work as a messenger at theCommunication Pathology Department and as abook binder at the Media and InformationService.• I go to work on my bike and have many friends oncampus.• I like chatting about rugby with my friend andcolleague, Tienie Briel.

At work inthe BinderyI have to finish awhole lot ofbooks each day

INSPIRING OTHER FAMILIES• At my work, parents bring their babies and youngchildren with Down syndrome for earlyintervention. When the parents see me working, Ishow them what a person with Down syndromecan do do.• One of the therapists (Alta) says that the parentsunderstand better how they must help theirchildren to find a job one day.• The parents see that their child has a future.• The therapists can tell parents what to do,• But I can show them what to do.

7DE LAAN• 7de Laan is one of the most popular daily soapoperas on SABC TV and has more than 3 millionviewers.• I am lucky to have a small role as the delivery man ofSwannie’s Butchery.• I have appeared on the show since 2009 and by nowpeople know me on street.• My lines in the show have become more and more.• I receive my lines by e mail a few days before therecording.• The directors are very kind to me. Sometimes I do itin one take but sometimes we have to do a repeat.• I love meeting all the other famous stars of the showand they are also always happy to see me.

EXTRACT FROM 7DE LAAN

IN CONCLUSION• I have a good life. I have many friends in my community. Iregularly visit them all.• Jacob, the factotum at Pretoria-Oos is one of my bestfriends and helps me fix my bike.• I have many friends that go with me to watch rugby atLoftus. I am a great fan of the Bulls.• I am a good pianist and love music.• I am a deacon in church.• I like visiting London where my brother, sister, brotherand-lawand nephew live. I love being an uncle.• I belong to the self-advocates club of the Down SyndromeAssociation.

My Sister’sWeddingI wasmaster ofceremonies

With MyGirlfriendMarlizeWe love goingto dancestogether

With myfamily inLondon

THE END• I had to work very hard to get where I am today.• I am thankful towards the many people whohelped me along the way.Thank you very muchBaie dankieRe a leboga