KwaThema – In celebration of the International Albinism Awareness Day, the Kwatsaduza Albinism Society Initiative (KASI) held an albinism Candle Light Day at the KwaThema Hall on June 13. KASI chairperson, Mandla Gininda says: “On this day we are creating awareness to educate the public about the challenges people living with albinism face.”
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The event was a success in pulling in numbers as people from around Kwatsaduza, local officials, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, social activists along with the community and religious leaders, came to attend.
Nonhlanhla Mngwezu, a resident and mother of young Amogelang Mngwezu, a child living with albinism, says they still face challenges because people lack information, and still hold misconceptions about albinism.
She encourages the community to remain united, and to work with the police.
She also stressed the need of parents to educate their children about albinism as children have a tendency to tease other children who might not look like them.
The Department of Higher Education and Training encouraged parents of children with albinism to enrol their children at various tertiary centres.
Abigail Baloyi from the department says: “We encourage people living with albinism to go to school and can apply for funding. We will assist with spectacles for those who have eyesight problems.
“Education is important and everyone has the right to receive education.”
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Tebogo Itumeleng from the provincial office of Social Development says: “People with albinism are no different from us, and we as the department have to strengthen our programmes to ensure we empower and provide skincare products and hats for people with albinism as already we have 16 Gauteng-based organisations which work with people with albinism.”
A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the event with an inscribed message of support, with the aim of motivating those who are living with albinism to see themselves as part of the community.
