Through an unexpected yet heartwarming connection with a young boy from Soweto, autism advocate Dr Emile Gouws was reminded of his own early struggles with being underestimated, realising that the journey that once felt so difficult has now made him a beacon of hope and a real-life hero to the next generation.
Johannesburg, South Africa (14 July 2026) – As an advocate for autism awareness and a champion for reshaping how the world understands neurodivergence, Dr Emile Gouws often introduces himself as a ‘researcher’ or ‘disability rights leader’. Recently, however, a young boy from Soweto, inspired by Emile’s work and his powerful voice for the neurodivergent community, changed that perspective.
Through this young boy’s eyes, Dr Gouws came to see himself in a brand-new light: as someone’s hero.
It all started when Emile received an email from Thandekile Nkomo, an educator at the Mohato School for Autism.
“She explained that one of her learners had chosen me as his hero for the iNkosi Albertina Luthuli Oral Competition,” Emile shares with Good Things Guy.
The learner, who is autistic himself, wanted to personally hear Dr Gouws’ story firsthand and ask him questions, as adjudicators would be looking for evidence that competition participants had researched their chosen hero.
“The learner would be presenting a speech about my life, achievements, and contribution to the autism community.”
Humbled by the request alone, Emile agreed to a meet-up, but never anticipated how emotional the meeting would become.
On 10 July, Emile, Thandekile and the learner all met at a restaurant in Parkmore.
“From the moment we sat down together, I realised this was about far more than an interview.”
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Cape Town Kayakers Rescue Starving African Penguin Far Out to SeaThe questions and conversation flowed between Emile’s journey with autism, upbringing, education, dreams, and believing in himself despite the barriers that society often places in front of autistic people.
“He [the young boy] asked thoughtful questions about my journey from my childhood and the challenges I experienced, to becoming a researcher, disability advocate, and representing South Africa internationally.”
As Emile spoke to the young man before him, he was reminded of the little autistic boy he once was.
“I remembered being underestimated. Being told what I couldn’t do. Fighting every day simply to be accepted. Like many autistic people, my journey has never been easy, and there were times when I never believed I would achieve the things I have today.”
Moved by their encounter, Emile admits that he never imagined that one day another autistic child would look at his life and choose him as their hero.
“His teacher told me that they googled famous people in the autism field in preparation for his talk: Ernie Els, Elon Musk, and Temple Grandin. But he stopped at my name and told his teacher, “I choose him”. That thought completely overwhelmed me,” Emile shares.
While it is easy to measure success by qualifications, awards, or position, Emile says that his time with this young boy from Soweto reminded him that perhaps success is something much simpler.
“Success is when your journey gives another child hope. Success is when the obstacles you have overcome become a bridge for someone else to cross. Success is when an autistic child from Soweto believes that they, too, can dream big because they have seen someone who has walked a similar path.”
That meeting may have lasted only a short time, but it left a lifelong impression on Emile. It reminded him why he does what he does and why representation matters. Why autistic children need to see autistic adults leading, researching, advocating, working, loving, and contributing to society.
“When young people can see someone who shares their experiences, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves,” he says.
Sources: Dr Emile Gouws
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