Use words and actions to change perceptions about albinism

STEREOTYPES and negative perceptions of people with albinism are plentiful and dangerous. But a brave guy, who calls himself Boitumelo "Gaddafi the poet" Mainganya, will change that endearingly.

Gaddafi became an overnight success after appearing on the popular dating television program Date My Family last Sunday.

Traditionally, singles and singles seeking "love" in the show are grilled and mocked on Twitter, but Gaddafi, who was born with albinism, was an instant charm and has sparked a different speech, entertaining and educating the audience. "Honestly, I did not do it for an appointment, I did it for all those who lived with albinism, those who constantly laughed, or who made fun of … intimidation and even killed for the pigment of their skin.

"I took it upon myself to be the liberator," said the 24-year-old

. He said that all those years of staring and nasty remarks had given him a thick skin and the courage to build his confidence.

"Very young, I learned how to turn a negative into a positive image. But before adopting this coping mechanism, he said that he was angry and that he was carrying stones to throw on people who insulted him.

Now, instead of stones, he uses words and words.

His sense of style, character and a positive personality were among the things that viewers noticed and complimented during the show, and for days afterwards.

"I do not know why people assume because I live with albinism I would not be confident.After all, it's just a condition, it does not change the man that I am, I can always be an educated, elegant and talented man. "The born Limpopo poet, who is now based in the capital, said that even in the 21st century, with all the information at hand, people were still unaware of people living with albinism.

The first sign that Gaddafi meant business was when he gave his date on the show a book on the condition called albinism because he saw that she did not fully understand the condition or the use of the word albino.

Asked about a second date: He jokingly replied, "We will only be friends."

"There are many things that need to be brought to light, and my role in the show was inevitable.", He said.

The episode even had Refilwe Modiselle, l & # 39; One of the most popular models living with albinism in South Africa, speaking of the term "albino" and how it was problematic because of the stigma created around it. 19659002] Gaddafi said that he broke myths about daily albinism just by being who he was.

"I wanted to tell them," look, it's just a condition I live with. not my potential or do not define me at all as a human being. "However, we can not ignore the fact that people living with albinism are going through a difficult time. We are killed because people do not understand and they need to be educated. "

In South Africa, it is estimated that one in every 4000 people is born with albinism, compared to about one in 20,000 in the world, according to the Albinism Society of SA

Outside ocular problems that can lead to blindness and a high vulnerability to skin cancer, people with albinism also face discrimination and stigma and other countries in Africa Eastern and Central, the United Nations officially declared albinos "disabled people" in 2008.

In East Africa, some believe that people with albinism have a mystical power, which makes them exposes to kidnapping and mutilation.The body parts are used in witchcraft, or buried in companies, believed to bring wealth.

One of the myths that exist in South Africa is that people with albinism do not die no, they simply disappear. Pejorative words are also sometimes used to refer to people with albinism.

Gaddafi, a graduate in information sciences, was recently appointed ambassador of the Albinism Society of SA and was also the face of a local clothing brand called YOU.

He says that he plans to occupy radio and television spaces, where, he believes, he can effectively inform people and change perceptions around albinism.