Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference at birth. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. International albinism awareness day focuses on raising public awareness of albinism and preventing attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism.
Johanna Mhlanga* a mother of a seven year old girl with albinism said that the society should know that even people with albinism are carried for nine months and they live like every other person, "My child is just like every other child, I carried her for nine months and gave birth to her liker every brown kid,"
Mhlanga said that her child has faced challenges at school, with other kids not wanting to play with her. She had to go to the school and speak to the principal so that they could address the issue at the assembly. " As a mother I fear for my child because some people in the society still believe that
A Soshanguve community member, Agnes Nkuna said that people with albinism are just like everyone else,"The only difference is the skin color, we are all the same," she said. Nkuna continued to say: "The people who kill person with this condition are killing the society and they should just get a harsh sentence."
I spoke to seven year old Tshepiso Moremi* who said that she was so happy about the day and that people will be educated about albinism. Cute Moremi with the albinism condition urged the society to stop the discrimination against persons with albinism, " Please respect us because we are also human, do not do whatever you like to us."
People with albinism frequently face social challenges, as their condition is often a source of discrimination, ridicule and sometimes even fear and violence. Executive director of Albinism Society of South Africa, Nomasonto Mazibuko emphasized the fact that they are not albinos but they are people with albinism. She said: "We educate especially the couples that have children with albinism, we give counselling and hope."
"South Africa has opened their boarders for everyone, therefore we need to say to our African brothers do not bring this attitude of coming to kill our brothers and sisters."
Mazibuko said that the police need to be more helpful when people with albinism report crimes and not tell them that maybe it was their day to disappear. " Albinism is manageable and people with albinism have constitutional rights to be on earth and we will prove to the world that we are not going to be killed for body parts," said Mazibuko. She continues to say that they are working together with Traditional Healers Organisation to put a stop to the killings of people with albinism.
*Names of sources withheld to protect the child
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