Dr Diana Msipa, Manager of the Disability Rights Unit hosted in UP’s Centre for Human Rights, details how people with albinism continue to encounter colour-based discrimination in South Africa and how raising awareness can dispel the myths and misconceptions that fuel discrimination against them.

With South Africa celebrating 30 years of freedom and democracy this April, it is an apt moment to reflect, not just on the gains and progress that we have made over the past three decades, but also on the challenges that lie ahead.

One of those challenges is the continued marginalisation of certain population groups, such as those with albinism, who still experience colour-based discrimination, with far-reaching and devastating effects on their enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Because of widespread ignorance about albinism, several myths and misconceptions have been formulated to explain the light skin tone and hair colour of people with albinism. The myths range from the birth of a child with albinism being a punishment for witchcraft or sinful behaviour on the part of the mother, to people being sub-human symbols of evil that need to be cast out or superhuman beings with special powers and abilities. There are reports of people with albinism being referred to as inkawu (monkey) or isishawa (curse). These myths result in the segregation and exclusion of those with albinism from society, leaving them with a fragmented sense of identity and psychological scars.

Crucially, discriminatory attitudes against people with albinism affect their ability to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms. For instance, the right to employment is violated when an employer chooses not to employ a person with albinism because of their skin colour. Similarly, discriminatory attitudes on the part of healthcare workers who refuse to treat someone with albinism because they believe it is contagious or a curse, impact their right to health. The right to education is also infringed upon when a school fails to provide reasonable accommodations for a learner with albinism or refuses to admit them because of their skin colour. Additionally, many children with albinism grow up in single-parent homes, usually because the fathers blame the mother for bringing a “curse” on their family and abandons them; this affects the right of a person with albinism to a family life.

Contrary to widespread myths, albinism is a non-contagious genetic condition characterised by the lack of melanin in the skin, hair and eyes. Both parents carry the gene that causes albinism. With little or no melanin in the skin, people with albinism not only have a white skin tone, but are sensitive to the sun’s UV rays and are highly susceptible to skin cancer. They also have vision impairments – such as low vision and nystagmus (characterised by the back-and-forth movement of the eyes) – due to a lack of melanin in their eyes. Few people are aware of the clinical facts about albinism, making it possible for myths to persist.

In order to combat colour-based discrimination against people with albinism in South Africa, it is necessary to challenge and dispel the myths and misconceptions that fuel discrimination against them. Raising awareness about albinism in communities is crucial. It is equally important to raise awareness in key sectors like education, health and employment about albinism and the rights of people with albinism.

Empowering those with albinism to advocate for their rights is another effective way to combat colour-based discrimination. It is also necessary to educate the media about the rights of people with albinism in order to counter discrimination and hate speech against them. Most importantly, a concerted effort is required from all of us to combat colour-based discrimination against people with albinism in South Africa. If there is anything that we have learnt from our common struggle for freedom, it is that together, we can make a difference.