Show producer Machaba Matsapola with presenter Puleng Molebatsi
By Anneline Mathiba
A talk show that promotes positive and informative discussion around challenges, myths and stigma towards people with albinism, has recently hit, and surpassed, the 200-episode milestone, while reaching as many as 3 000 listeners from around the world.
The Albinism Report was launched in 2017, during September,which is albinism awareness month in South Africa, and airs every Monday at 09h05 and repeats at 23h00 on Channel Africa – www.channelafrica.co.za for live streaming and on DStv audio channel 802.
Produced by Machaba Matsapola, a 42-year–old from Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, Albinism Report encourages people with albinism to realise their full potential and to learn about their human rights.
Matsapola, who is a fully pigmented person, says while growing up he heard a lot of superstitions about people with albinism.
A journalist by profession, he realised after interviewing a friend with albinism in 2016 that other people’s story also needed to be told. “I always wanted to tell stories that are not in mainstream media. I try to create content that will educate society.”
Matsapola says he was intentional about appointing a presenter with albinism for the show, which led to SABC news presenterPuleng Molebatsi being the presenter of the show. Molebatsisays working with Matsapola has been a breath of fresh air, as he is accommodating, reliable and always puts his work first. “These are the great qualities of a show producer and a colleague,” Molebatsi told ThisAbility.
She says among the guests she has interviewed on the show are model and lawyer Thando Hopa, model and actor Simba Gozo, albinism activist Mpho Tjope as well as the founder of Albinism Association of South Africa, Sonto Mazibuko. “These were the most influential individuals with albinism that I got to interview.”
Digital Maskandi rapper Robert Skhosana (29) who has been a guest on the Albinism Report, told ThisAbility that the talk showhas had an impact on his growth as a rapper.
“I am confident enough to say Albinism Report has helped me to spread my wings in terms of marketing my music. Some people from other African countries are streaming my music on the internet,watching my videos on YouTube. The show gave me the green light exposure, [and] I got to use it wisely for my benefit.”
Guests on the show are not limited to people with albinism but can be people who might be allies or have information that can be beneficial to the albinism community.
Matsapola says, “Through our Facebook page we get so much positive feedback from people with albinism around the continent who were either inspired by someone’s story or looking for information that can help them better their lives. We also get feedback from fully pigmented people who have family members with albinism or those who are beginning to unlearn some of the myths they heard about people with albinism.”
