SA’s need more education on people living with albinism
Two innocent lives have been lost because of misinformation and greed
The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) believes that the country needs more education on people living with albinism.
Mpumalanga chairperson Ms Annerie Weber MP in a statement says that the sentencing of Themba Thubane (41) who has been convicted for the kidnapping and murder of Gabisile Shabane, a 13-year-old child who lived with albinism, has highlighted that South Africa lacks education on albinism.
Gabisile was abducted from her home in January last year (2018) with her 15-month-old cousin, Nkosikhona Ngwenya.
On Friday, August 23 Thubane was sentenced to two life sentences for the murder.
He admitted to the court that he believed that muthi (traditional medicine) made from body parts of a person living with albinism will assist him and his business partner.
Two innocent lives have been lost because of misinformation and greed.
“People living with albinism have become a target; they are vulnerable and live in fear. On a daily bases they face a stigma; there is a great need for South African’s to be taught about the myths about people living with albinism. Thirteen June marks International Albinism Awareness Day but the day should not be the end to awareness on albinism. The court’s judgment on Thubane is the first step to bringing justice to the Shabane and Ngwenya families and we welcome it. These two families have suffered a great deal and the Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) will continue to support them,” said Weber.
