KwaThema – Gogo Molahlekgile of the Traditional Healers Organisation says it is important to educate the community about the gift of healing.
“It is senseless to kill a person living with albinism in order to make some kind of medicine from that.
“Why would we kill in order to heal someone else?”
She says people have the wrong information.
“God gave us herbs to heal each other.”
Ndebele Chief Elijah Skosana expressed great concern about the safety of people living with albinism in the community.
Also read: The need to understand albinism
“When we grew up they would tell us that people with albinism do not die, they just vanish.
“This is testament that something sinister was being done to them because we know that they are human just like the rest of us.”
He says he speaks on behalf of all the chiefs, and they strongly condemn all forms of abuse.
“You can’t love someone and hurt them.
“If you feel strongly about something come to us, elders in the community, express your concerns.”
He adds that the whole community needs to respect and protect people who live with albinism.
Fulufhelo Madau, a health promoter from one of the local clinics says her job is to teach people about diseases and how people can manage them.
Also read: National Albinism Month shines spotlight on injustices
“We educate everyone without discrimination.
“But we have observed that stigma still exists around pregnant women, about giving birth to children with albinism.
“Most women still believe that if you have a child with albinism it is bad luck.”
She says more education could prepare them and get rid of the stigma.
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