On the left is Nondumiso Cezula holding her child; Vuyokazi Poro with a red bag; and Mziwemadoda Mbolongwane far right. The others in the photograph did not wish to give their names, though they were willing to be photographed. Photo: Joseph Chirume
7 July 2016
People with albinism in Eastern Cape have made a heartfelt appeal to the community to treat them with dignity and not to kill them for traditional medicines.
On Wednesday in the Dan Qeqe Stadium in Zwide, Port Elizabeth, on the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), a spokesperson for a group of people with albinism, Vuyokazi Poro, told the crowd: “People living with albinism are also human beings. We also have families and we have the same feelings as you have … The only difference is that our skin lacks melanin and we have poor eyesight.”
She said: “We have become targets of some traditional healers and human body parts’ traders, because they think that our bodies can treat certain ailments or bring them good luck. Our bodies do not cure anything. We are just as normal as you are.”
Nondumiso Cezula appealed to the government to consider supplying people with albinism with free skin lotions and sunglasses.
Cezula said, “We can’t go outdoors without applying sunscreen lotion because our skin is very vulnerable to sunlight.”
“We have to apply those lotions on a daily basis. A small bottle, that can not last even a month, costs more than R200.”
Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini, who spoke at the event, urged residents to protect and respect people living with albinism. She also appealed to parents not to hide children with albinism.
Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said the government would soon roll out a massive programme to supply the necessary health kits on a monthly basis. She urged people with albinism to register at their nearest clinic.