Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya urges communities to stop myths and superstitions that lead to the discrimination of people with albinism.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya made the statement ahead of the launch of the Life Choices Campaign in Durban this weekend. The campaign encourages acceptance and understanding of albinism.
Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities has joined hands with the londcare events and promotions to highlight the challenges faced by people with albinism and create community awareness and understanding of the condition.
“There are many myths surrounding people with albinism condition. Some of these myths are scary, misleading and forcing people with the condition to live in fear for the rest of their lives,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said very often people ask whether albinism is a disability or not? “The best measure to make that determination is to establish whether the interaction between a person with impairment and attitudes or environmental barriers does hinder his/her participation in society on an equal basis with others. Since albinism involves a visual impairment, it is thus considered a disability,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said her ministry is committed to ensure that persons with albinism enjoy all human rights embodied in our Constitution including the right of access to education.
“In realising this right, assistive devices should be made available to assist with teaching and learning. Through public health facilities, children with albinism should be provided glasses and optical aides to enhance their vision. Schools should ensure that children with albinism receive learning material in an accessible format,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said families need to seek accurate information about albinism and educate siblings to make them understand why their brother or sister looks different.
“I am very excited about the launch of this campaign in Durban at the weekend. I believe it can assist us to clear the myths and to ensure that people with albinism are not hindered from full participation in social and economic activities,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
The launch will be attended by various stakeholders including the Office of the Premier, provincial government departments, business sectors, albinism society, non-governmental organisation (NGOs). The media is invited to the launch of the campaign which happens as follows:
Day one: Gala dinner launch
Date: Saturday, 22 May 2010
Venue: Royal Hotel - Durban
Time: 17h30 for 18h00
Dress Code: Formal/smart
Day two: Community awareness campaign
Date: Sunday 23 May 2010
Venue: Curries Fountain Sports Field (DUT) Durban-Market
Time: 09h00 for 09h30
Dress code: Sports/casual
For more details contact:
Londiwe Ngcamu
Cell: 076 443 3092
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
E-mail: sibani@po.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
20 May 2010
