Call to cease attacks on people with albinism
The aim was to facilitate communication between the traditional healers and the members of community
THE KZN Department of Arts and Culture, as the custodian of social cohesion, coordinated a community dialogue for the people of uMhlabuyalingana on Wednesday.
The talks were held in collaboration with the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF).
The aim was to facilitate communication between the traditional healers and the members of community to resolve rampant attacks on people living with albinism.
Main participants included vulnerable community groups such as the elderly, as well as those with albinism.
Traditional leaders and healers also took part in the discussions, where the victimised sectors raised their concerns about the way they are treated by some members of the community, and made recommendations as to how they think their challenges should be addressed.
Fake traditional healers condemned
Addressing the gathering, traditional James ‘God’olulal’amankankane’ Mthembu said he is unhappy about the ‘sick people’ who are spreading wrong information about the healers who sell human parts.
‘Those fake healers who come to our country and convince our people they can make money by selling body parts must be condemned,’ Mthembu said.
He further condemned the recent murder of a child on Monday under mysterious circumstances.
He also referred to a report concerning a woman who was said to have been selling four children, whom the people said he, Mthembu must investigate.
He said he personally spends a lot of money to buy cream for albino children, to protect them from sunburn.
Sithole appeals to government
Yanis Sithole, also living with albinism, appealed to the government to put measures in place to protect people like himself.
Making his appeal to President Jacob Zuma, he said, ‘We request the government to involve us in all the activities it plans to have regarding the people with albinism,’ Sithole said.
He also appealed to the teachers to care for the needs and challenges of the school children living with albinism, by making sure they are seated close to the classroom boards, because they have poor eyesight.
‘We also implore employers to give us equal opportunities, and not discriminate against us because of our skin colour,’ he added.
He beseeched community members to teach their children about people living with albinism, so they learn not to discriminate against them.
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