The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has joined the National Albinism Task Force of South Africa (NATF) in calling for the end of discrimination, hostility and violence against people with albinism.
The department made the call ahead of the court appearance of a South African traditional healer Bongolethu “Dr Khehlelezi” Mzozo over a video shared on YouTube in April 2023 that spreads misinformation about people with albinism.
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Following the release of the video, in line with Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 (PEPUDA) (No 4, 2000), the Thembisile Madlala Albinism Foundation, supported by NATF, lodged a case with the Equality Court against Khehlelezi, contending that the video was discriminatory and amounts to “hate speech” against people with albinism.
The department welcomed the approach by NATF, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Sport, Arts and Culture, to initiate stakeholder engagement conversations, with the aim of having a National Safety Plan for Persons with Albinism.
The engagements also seek to raise awareness of the underlying traditional myths and practices that potentially perpetuate stigma and discrimination against, and the persecution of persons with albinism.
