To raise awareness around issues faced by persons with albinism, Unisa’s Department of Leadership and Transformation (DLT) held an All about Albinism Webinar themed “United in making our voice heard" on 08 September 2022. The webinar was part of DLT’s programme to create awareness on various types of disabilities, vital accommodation, and advocacy for the employment of persons with disabilities.
In her opening remarks, Karen Redelinghuys, Unisa’s Acting Deputy Director of Employment Equity under DLT, said that the department is working with the institution’s Human Resources Department to revise the current recruitment strategy for persons with disabilities.
Zulmira Nhatave, Deputy Secretary of the National Albinism Task Force, defined albinism as an inherited condition that is passed on to an unborn child through the genes of both parents who lack melanin. Melanin is a substance in the body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. Nhatave dismissed misconceptions about persons with albinism including that they do not die but disappear into thin air. “Such misconceptions subject them to rejection, bullying, stigmatisation and body trafficking,” she explained.
Nhatave reiterated that workplaces should be more assistive and accommodative towards persons with albinism. She spoke on the National Task Force that was established in 2019, which serves as a forum for the albinism society with a goal to develop a national action plan on albinism in South Africa. Nhatave encouraged employment organisations to integrate this plan in their operations, saying that albinism must be accepted as a disability and organisations’ management and employees must be educated about this condition to prevent discrimination and marginalisation.
Promoting albinism-friendly environments and partnerships
The Chairperson of the National Albinism Task Force, Mpho Tjope, remarked that reflections on persons with albinism should include positive narratives. However, he noted that children with albinism are often raised by single mothers as they are perceived as curses. He maintained: “This leads to a lack of support structure in these children’s lives due to stigmatisation.”
“Employment is directly linked to education. Some children with albinism drop out of school due to, among others, bullying and skin conditions as they have to walk long distances to and from school in the sun,” Tjope affirmed. “Without education,” he continued, “their employment chances decline.” Tjope acknowledged that sometimes teachers contribute to teasing these children as they are not informed enough about their condition. He called on schools and organisations to understand the needs of persons with albinism, eliminate discrimination against them and promote albinism-friendly environments.
Kamohelo Teele, Disability Advisory Committee Member at the Human Rights Commission stated that policies rely on the Constitution. “Policies cannot be effective if the Constitution is too silent on issues around albinism,” he said. He emphasised: “There must be political will and political participation to champion albinism issues.” He added that the albinism society should not be marginalised in employment and gender equity.
Further, Teele remarked that more awareness, advocacy, and media coverage are needed to highlight issues faced by persons with albinism. To advance the rights of South African citizens including of persons with albinism, Teele holds that there must be more partners in Chapter 9 institutions, albinism organisations, societies, and non-governmental organisations, among others. He applauded Unisa for inviting them as it demonstrated that the institution promotes inclusivity, social cohesion, and accessibility.
Knowledge exchange on albinism matters
During question-and-answer sessions, participants encouraged unity among citizens and between countries to effectively combat issues faced by the albinism society. They exchanged knowledge and information and shared personal experiences relating to the issue. Moreover, the emphasis was on the use of education to empower people about albinism matters.
Professor Thulani Zengele, Unisa’s Director in the Curriculum Transformation Unit, shared that through the unit as a special project, Unisa is piloting an online curriculum transformation course for academics. The institution is also preparing a massive open online course that will be rolled out for students soon. Among others, he explained that the project promotes inclusivity and diversity.
In closing, Unisa’s Console Tleane, Director of System and Policy Change under DLT, noted that going forward, the university will expand further the work that they do around disability studies, which addresses scholarship thereof.
* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
Publish date: 2022-09-09 00:00:00.0