Chairperson of National Albinism Task Force, Mpho Tjope Cred: Mpho Tjope
By Moraka Mehale
The National Albinism Task Force (NATF) has been engaging communities across South Africa to educate them about the albinism condition since the virtual launch of Albinism Awareness Month on Thursday, September 1 2022.
This year’s launch took place under the theme: “United in making our voice heard” which signifies the imperative of unity among albinism communities to speak in one voice. The intention is to teach society about albinism and to ensure that persons with albinism are treated fairly without any discrimination. Despite the celebration of awareness month each year, the NATF finds that more community engagement is still needed.
According to NATF chairperson Mpho Tjope (38), September as awareness month seeks to combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful traditional practices and beliefs that affect albinism communities. “It was suggested in 2019 by a United Nations expert that organisations representing albinism should unite to make our voice heard and creating awareness,” says Tjope.
That is why NATF was started by albinism organisations to represent them in all provinces. So far it has managed to unite 50 albinism non-profit organisations and non-government organisations and drafted a national action plan which has been submitted to Parliament.
Twenty-three people make up the leadership of NATF nationally and provincially. They are tasked with working with the government for the protection of rights of persons with albinism, including protection against unfair discrimination and hate speech, equal access to services and opportunities, the right to self-representation by persons having albinism on matters affecting their lives as enshrined in the constitutional values of freedom of association.
According to chief director for the rights of persons with disabilities at the department of women, youth and persons with disabilities, Phuti Mabelebele, the rights of people with albinism can be valued through an effective relationship between government and albinism movements and that the government’s participation in activities organised by albinism movements will ensure that the message is disseminated widely.
On the national action plan submitted by NATF, Mabelebele said it has been taken to the relevant committee “to ensure accountability and management” and the implementation of the plan by the relevant departments after its review. She said they were “still committed” to the plan as it detailed the role government should play in equality and non-discrimination, awareness raising, social protection, education and health through inter-departmental communication.
