Tshwane UPDATE | Page 1

TSHWANEUPDATE

Issue 2

October will be remembered for the scorching heat waves but also for the splendour of this year’s jacaranda blooms that turned streets into a purple haze.

When Mr JD Celliers planted two jacarandas in his garden in 1888 at Myrtle Lodge, Celliers Street, Sunnyside, little did he know he was planting a feature that would be cherished and appreciated in Tshwane.

These trees are still in existence on the grounds of the Sunnyside Primary School, formerly known as “Myrtle Lodge”. A large number of jacaranda trees in the streets of Pretoria and elsewhere in the country were raised from seeds produced by these trees.

The trees have been looked after well over the years and today, 127 years later, are spec-imens that still proudly display their floral glory.

The large-scale planting of jacarandas started in 1898 when Pretoria’s flower grower, Mr James Clark, got a consignment of seeds from Australia.

Some of these seeds were planted in Bosman Street. White jacarandas were introduced to Herbert Baker Street in Groenkloof in 1966.

Police 10111

Metro Police 012 358 7095 / 6

Emergency Services 10177 / 012 310 6300/6400

24-hour Call Centre 012 358 2111 / 080 111 1556

Water and sanitation, traffic lights, roads and storm water

012 358 2111Customer care / credit control 012 358 9999

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 2

Use water sparinglyTemporary water restrictions were implemented across the City of Tshwane in October following a notification from Rand Water to all the metros in Gauteng that it is experiencing severe strain on its supply pipeline. The current water restrictions are in terms of Clause 19 of the Wa-ter Supply By-law, as published in the Gauteng Provincial Gazette, dated 24 July 2014, notice 468.

The City is pleading with residents to use sparingly and to please note the following:

• No watering/irrigation of gardens with hosepipes or sprinkler systems between 06:00 and 18:00;• No washing of vehicles with hosepipes; • No filling of swimming pools. Fines of up to R10 000 can be instituted against offenders.

Saving water Comparing a water-wasting family to a water-wise family Ten tips to save water• Install a low-flow shower head and tap aerators where possible.• Use a dual-flush toilet cistern.• Try to plant indigenous or drought-resistant shrubs in your garden.• Water gardens before 06:00 or after 18:00 and only when necessary.

• Collect rainwater for re-use in the garden or washing the car. • Use a broom instead of a hosepipe when cleaning driveways or patios. • Cover your swimming pool to reduce water evaporation.• Shower rather than bath.• Close a running tap while brushing your teeth or shaving. • Regularly check toilets and taps for leaks.

Keep your water bills low

• Reduce your daily usage of water and identify ways to economise water usage.• Re-use water wherever possible. Most water coming from a tap can be used at least twice.• Repair leaking pipes, taps and toilet cisterns. • Do a water audit and identify where water is wasted.

 

Water-wasting family Water-wise family

2 baths at a depth of 150 mm = 180 ℓ

Bath 1 bath at a depth of 100 mm – 60 ℓ

2 showers at 15 ℓ per minute for 7 minutes each = 210 ℓ

Shower 3 showers at 6 ℓ per minute for 4 minutes each (close taps while soaping) = 72 ℓ

Water used freely = 30 ℓ Wash basin Water used sparingly = 10 ℓ

20 uses at 15 ℓ per flush = 300 ℓ Toilet Using a 6 ℓ / 3 ℓ dual-flush toilet, 15 uses at 3 ℓ and 5 uses at 6 ℓ = 75 ℓ

5 uses per week = 90 ℓ Washing machine 5 uses per week = 90 ℓ

Water used freely = 20 ℓ Hand washing Water used sparingly = 15 ℓ

15 ℓ Cooking and drinking

15 ℓ

Sink filled with water each time = 40 ℓ

Dishwashing Water used sparingly = 20 ℓ

775 ℓ PER HOUSEHOLD 194 ℓ PER PERSON DAILY

Total water used 252 ℓ PER HOUSEHOLD 63 ℓ PER PERSON DAILY

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 3

Substance abuse wrecks lives

Substance abuse has a huge impact on individuals, families and communities. Its effects are cumulative and contribute signifi-cantly to costly social, physical, mental and public health problems. People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives. Young people in Tshwane say the reasons they take drugs are to:• fit in• escape or relax • relieve boredom • seem grown up • rebel • experimentThey think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem. Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them.

The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK?Drugs are in actual fact poisons. The amount taken determines the effect. Some drugs are stimulants (they speed you up) and others are sedatives (they slow you down). A too-large amount of any drug can poison or kill.

Many drugs have another liability: They directly affect the mind. They distort the

user’s perception of what is happening around him or her. As a result, the person’s actions may be odd, irrational, inappropriate and even destructive.

Drugs block off all sensations, both de-sirable and unwanted. While providing short-term relief from pain, they also wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

Drug abuse and dependence have a far-reaching impact and affect almost every organ in the human body.

Drug use can lead to the following:• Weakening of the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.• Cardiovascular conditions, ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attacks. • injected drugs can also cause collapsed veins and infections of the blood vessels and heart valves.• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.• Liver damage or failure, due to the liver having to work harder.• Seizures, strokes and widespread brain damage that can impact all aspects of daily life by causing problems with memory, attention span and decision-making,

including sustained mental confusion and permanent brain damage.• Global body changes such as breast development in men, dramatic fluctuations in appetite, and increases in body temperature, which may all have an influence on a variety of health conditions. EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN

Although initial drug use may be volun-tary, drugs have been shown to alter brain chemistry, which interferes with an individ-ual’s ability to make decisions and can lead to compulsive craving, seeking and use of drugs. This then becomes a substance dependency.

BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS• Paranoia• Aggressiveness• Hallucinations• Addiction• Impaired judgement• Impulsiveness• Loss of self-control

The City recently held a Drug and Sub-stance Abuse Summit to consult with all relevant stakeholders on the fight against drug and substance abuse and to map interventions in an integrated manner so as to have an effect on this scourge.

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 4

According to the MMC for Social Development, Councillor Eulanda Mabusela, the summit would contribute towards creating a drug-free Tshwane. “This programme is informed by the National Drug Master Plan, which aims to reach 360 key stakeholders involved in the work of fighting the scourge of drug and substance abuse,” she said.

The summit was also aimed at –• promoting and strengthening working relations regarding the programme;• providing space for stakeholders to indicate how they can

contribute to the fight against drug and substance abuse;• providing a progress report on and making a commitment to the programme; and• receiving research funding from the University of Pretoria.There is still much to be done in our efforts to fight against drug and substance abuse, but the City of Tshwane, together with relevant stakeholders, is making progress. “We don’t want to lose young people to drugs,” said the Executive Mayor, Councillor Kgo-sientso Ramokgopa.

For more information or help call 012 358 8718.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Tshwane’s Free Wi-Fi Project has hit a ma-jor milestone of one million unique connec-tions on Wednesday 28 October 2015.

Tshwane Free Wi-Fi service is the largest government-funded public free WiFi in South Africa and has enabled over one million unique users to get online since its launch in November 2013, logging over 40,4 million connections to date.

The City of Tshwane currently has 711 free internet zones (FIZ), supporting communi-ties across Tshwane new sites are added regularly, contributing to the project’s exponential growth. Each FIZ location allows users with Wi-Fi enabled devices, to access free internet without any logins or passwords.

According to the latest statistics, the major-ity of users range between the ages of 18 and 24 with 51% male and 49%

female. Significantly, 81% of these users are connecting via their mobile phones. Users are provided with easier access to online content centred around education, economic opportunity and social cohesion via Tobetsa, Project Isizwe’s curated con-tent platform. Tshwane Free Wi-Fi provides each user with a 250MB daily cap. However ,once a user reaches their daily limit, they can still enjoy unlimited access to Tobetsa.

Tshwane Free Wi-Fi and Tobetsa give local communities the power to access informa-tion, education and jobs online, empowering them to up-skill themselves and partake in the mainstream economy like never before.

The City’s vision to eventually provide free Wi-Fi connectivity in every street, at every corner and to every household in the capital city is indeed moving towards realisation.New ProductsTshwane Wi-Fi Voice is a mobile application

that lets users call each other and the City’s customer care line at no cost when con-nected to the Tshwane Free Wi-Fi service.Tshwane Wi-Fi Chat lets the City push messages to users and receive real-time comments and feedback. It also serves as a service delivery mechanism for users to log queries and complaints.

Tshwane Wi-Fi Drive-In is a video-on-de-mand service that will be enabled at specific Tshwane Wi-Fi locations. A selection of the latest Hollywood blockbusters will be avail-able at Fountains Park in Fountains Valley, Die Draai in Bronkhorstspruit and Dinokeng Theme Park.

Wi-Fi Drive-Ins are expected to be launched for each of Tshwane’s seven regions during 2016.

We are an Innovative City

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 5

Pienaarspoort promises better living for residents

The City of Tshwane has allocated more than 2 800 permanent stands in Pienaarspoort to former residents of Mamelodi Ext 11 and Stoffel Park squatter camps.

Tshwane Executive Mayor, Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, promised residents that the City would en-sure that their new stands are fully serviced with toilets, water and electricity. The process of ensuring this will commence before the end of 2015.

The “Re Aga Tshwane” programme aims to relocate residents and families in informal settlements to fully serviced permanent stands.

Disability rights awareness: Taking care of our people

Disabled persons in Region 2 regained some of their freedom when City of Tshwane donated some wheelchairs.

The plight of disabled people is high on the City’s agenda and this was a concrete action to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and restore their dignity.

Zacharia Hopane, also known as “Bra Cry” of the Disability Desk, and Councillor MA Marobane of Ward 49 handing over wheelchairs to disabled persons in Hammanskraal.

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 6

REGION 3Region 3 is bordered by the Magaliesberg mountain range to the north and the N1 and N14 freeway to the south east, but also extends into a small part of East Lynne and Silverton. The region includes the CBD of Tshwane, the Brooklyn and Hatfield metro-politan nodes as well as the western area of Tshwane (commonly known as Pretoria West). To the south-west, the region borders on the jurisdiction of Mogale City and to the west on Madibeng in the North West Province.

The main characteristics of Region 3

• The region is host to national government offices and forms the administrative heart of government.• The region is centrally located within the metropolitan area.• It contains the CBD, which is the largest job opportunity zone in Tshwane, and two first-order nodes, ie Brooklyn and Hatfield.• Two of the three Gautrain stations in Tshwane are located in the region.• The region contains major landmarks, large institutions and a number of hospitals.• The south-eastern area of the region accommodates middle and high-income groups, while most of the low-income groups are located in the west.• The region contains some of the oldest townships in the greater Tshwane, raising the heritage value of buildings and structures in the area.• Several landmarks and gateways also have conservation value.• Atteridgeville in the west of the region is a low-income area, including a large expanding informal settlement.• The north-western area of the region (the so- called West Moot) is characterised by predominantly rural residential occupation and extensive land uses. It also has undeveloped agricultural land, various residential

townships and the PPC cement manufacturer. • The central section, which is located directly to the north of the CBD, includes the Capital Park Container Depot and a number of residential townships.• The Crocodile River basin in the south-west of the region contributes water to Region 3 and is an important natural resource that provides opportunities for tourism and recreation.• The underlying dolomite in the south of the region, the sensitive environmental areas and the ridges tend to direct and inform urban development.FeaturesThe following features define Region 3:• The region lies to the south of the Magaliesberg mountain range, which runs east-west through the city.• The Apies River runs south-north through the region and forms the open space backbone of the region.• The intricate open space network in the region consists of the following formative features - Magaliesberg range, which forms the northern boundary; - Witwatersberg (Daspoortrand) in the central part; and - Schurveberg/Kwaggasrand/Langeberg range, which forms the southern boundary.

The region renders functions and services regarding the following:

Healthcare, social development, environmental health, sport, recreation, parks and horticulture, nature conservation, resorts and swimming pools, waste management, cemeteries, rental stock and informal settlements, urban agricultural and rural de-velopment, land use compliance and by-laws, roads, storm water and transport, water and sanitation, energy and electricity, and customer care.

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 7

Ward no

Councillor’s name

Contact details

Email address

1 John Willem Barendrecht

082 685 6039

DA johnba@tshwane.gov.za johnba@tshwane.gov.za

3 Daniel Jacobus Swanepoel

082 417 6338

danies2@tshwane.gov.za danie.bti@webmail.co.za

7 Molatelo Samuel Mashola 076 168 5759

ANC Molatelo S Mashola

42 Bronwynn Anne Engelbrecht 082 376 1022

DA bronwynn@worldonline.co.za

51 Francina Maredi

083 568 1910 ANC    francinam2@tshwane.gov.za

52 Frans J Smith

082 447 0638

DA francinam2@tshwane.gov.za

53 Hendrik Frederik Fourie

083 283 7482

DA hendrikfourie@lantic.net

54 Elmarie Linde

082 327 1561

DA elmariel@tshwane.gov.za elmariel@tshwane.gov.za

55 Petrus Johannes Fourie 082 371 5183 DA Councillor Piet J Fourie

56 Adv CD Prinsloo 083 458 5324 DA katep@tshwane.gov.za kateprinsloo@telkomsa.net

58 Elma Nel 0822934858 DA elmanel.930@gmail.com

59 GM Erasmus 081 465 0522 081 645 4959 072 642 0484

DA maggie.erasmus27@gmail.com maggiee@tshwane.gov.za.

60 Maid Joyce Mabena 073 456 9764 ANC maidm@tshwane.gov.za

62 SP Tlomaatsane 082 826 4361 ANC selopit@tshwane.gov.za

63 John Ntuli

082 500 0589 ANC confrencen@tshwane.gov.za

68 TV Rambau 083 947 8831 ANC tshililor@tshwane.gov.za

71 MA Makola 072 707 6137 ANC makopom@tshwane.gov.za

72 Lobisa Pretty Moganedi 079 236 6149 ANC lobisam@tshwane.gov.za

80 Cameron Ngwenya

083 922 0071

ANC ngwenyacameron@gmail.com

81 Maligana Edward Musehane

078 627 3373

ANC maliganam@tshwane.gov.za

82 Siobhan Muller

082 454 9244

DA    siobhanm@tshwane.gov.za siobhanm@telkomsa.net Ward82pta@gmail.com

84 Roelof Petrus Fourie

082 578 9839

DA roeloff@tshwane.gov.za roelof.fourie@vodamail.co.za roelof@dagautengnorth.o.za

92 Juanita du Plooy

082 322 7497

DA juanitadp@tshwane.gov.za jdp55555@gmail.com

Customer care walk-in centres

• Fortsig Customer Care Centre Van der Hoff Road Extension, Boekenhoutskloof • HB Phillips Customer Care Centre HB Phillips Building, cnr Bosman and Francis Baard Street • Atteridgeville Customer Care Centre Office Block E (Mini Munitoria/Thusong Centre), Komane Street (between Mngadi and Radebe Street) • BKS Customer Care Centre 373 Pretorius Street, Pretoria • Isivuno Customer Care Centre Isivuno House, 143 Lilian Ngoyi Street • Sammy Marks Customer Care Centre Sammy Marks Building, cnr Madiba and Sisulu Street • Ou Raadsaal Customer Care Centre Ou Raadsaal Building, Church Square, Pretoria

Wards

The map below shows the wards of Region 3:

List of Ward Councillors

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 8

A cycling club that focuses on the youth

The Eersterust Cycling Club recently whirred through Eersterust’s streets. Through this cycling club the City wants to assist local youths by introducing and developing cycling. This initiative will expose youths to the fantastic and fun sport/recreation of cycling.

The cycling club began with an initial fleet of 60 bicycles run by six youths who will be mentored by the Tshwane Urban Riders. Through this initiative, the City is practically supporting the uptake of non-motorised transport with all the attendant social, economic and environmental benefits.

Violence prevention through urban upgrading in Mamelodi East

The lives of residents of Mamelo-di East will be a lot safer for now with the donation by Germany of R70 million towards the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrad-ing Programme. This programme will see the improvement of safety in public places, the provision of in-frastructure and hosting of a family centre in Mamelodi East.

During the 2014 anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German development bank KfW made a commitment of R70 million on behalf of the German government.

In its first stage, the programme will improve the security of 50 000 inhabitants through the provision of social amenities, including a multi-purpose children and parent centre, outdoor gyms, sports facilities and a recreational skills training centre.

“We want all of you to benefit from this programme. It is always heart-warming to touch people’s lives. Let’s work together to get things done,” said German Ambassador, Walter Lindner.

Photo: Executive Mayor Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa with German Ambassador, Walter Lindner during the walkabout in Mamelodi East

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 9

FROM DUMPING GROUND TO JEWEL

Maunde Square Park was once an open field that the community used as a dump-ing site and trade area. It is now a vibrant park where Pheli residents can chill out and enjoy each other’s company.

The City is intent on creating aesthetic places that encourage social interaction and

a safe and healthy environment. Through the municipality’s Two Parks per Ward Pro-gramme, Maunde Park has been revitalised as an attraction for the area. Improving visual amenities requires partnership with local communities. The development of parks in communities is not only about the restores dignity and a high quality of life, but

also creates employment, facilitates skills transfer and highlights the advantages of a green environment.

The Two Parks per Ward Programme increases the rate of landscape beautifica-tion initiatives in Tshwane and addresses park development backlogs.

Do not point lasers at aircrafts!The City is making a plea to people who point lasers at aircraft at Wonderboom Airport to stop such acts. This poses a serious risk, as it blinds pilots and could cause an aeroplane to crash.

A multiple task team was established to investigate and prose-cute such offenders in Tshwane and one person has already been caught. Residents should also note that the flying of Chinese lanterns, kites, helium balloons, drones and model aircraft around airports is prohibited.

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 10

How safe is your food?Do you know if the stores you are buying your food from meet the legislative health standards? The City’s Health and Social Development Department urges residents to be mindful of the health standards regulat-ing food and food premises.

On this World Food Day (16 October) the City wants to inform residents about the health standards that food premises must observe. Although the Environmental Health Practitioners of the Health and Social De-velopment Department inspect and monitor these premises regularly, it is essential that consumers are informed and alert.

It is a mandatory legislative requirement ac-cording to Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises and the Transport of Food (R962) promul-gated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) that all premises processing or handling food must apply for a certificate of acceptability for food premises.

The purpose of this certificate is to protect the public. When this certificate is issued by an Environmental Health Practitioner of the Municipal Health Services in Tshwane, it means that the premises and the food handlers comply with the requirements specified in the Regulation.

A Certificate of Acceptability will be displayed on the food premises in a place

visible for the public and a copy of it must be made available immediately on request if the display thereof is impractical.

The public need to protect themselves by ensuring that food premises have a certificate that is displayed. It also means that these premises are safe to buy from. In this way everybody is empowered and contribute to the prevention of foodborne diseases.

Business owners should be proud to display the certificate, as it indicates that their prem-ises are visited regularly by an Environmen-tal Health Practitioner and that they comply with the legal requirements.

Residents of Tshwane who are aware of premises that do not display their certifi-cates or do not have them available, should report it to the Service Desk of Municipal Health Services.Complaints and enquiries:012 358 4656Email: EHonestop@tshwane.gov.za www.tshwane.gov.za

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 11

Sports and Events Tourism Exchange 2015

The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange 2015 took place at Protea Hotel Fire & Ice in Menlyn at the end of October. SETE is aimed at promoting and positioning South Africa as a mega event destination. This year’s focus for the conference was golf tourism, which is important in the tourism sector and can help South Africa grow it sport and event tourism. Tshwane will be the host city for SETE for the next three years.

The City of Tshwane is delighted to host such a unique event which affords visitors the chance to experience Tshwane’s poten-tial. The exposure to a global market will also provide opportunities to attract future tourists and businesses to our city.

“To us, a new baby is born and we will pamper and nourish this baby. We want to see this grow bigger and better. We strongly believe that SETE will achieve greater heights,” said MMC Subesh Pillay during his

address as the acting executive mayor.

“As the city of champions and a sports loving community we take pride in hosting this event. I wish you a blissful gathering, rewarding debates and successful business transactions at the Sports and Events Tour-ism Exchange. Feel at home!” added Pillay when he welcomed the delegations.

Sport has become a game changer in global economies and investment in infrastructure brings lasting benefits to the host cities. In-ternational visitors contribute through direct expenditure – from purchasing tickets to attend events and travel, to accommodation and match day entertainment.

SETE is aimed at promoting and positioning South Africa as a mega event destination for two-day conferences with exhibition and networking events from 27 to 29 October 2015, at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice in Menlyn. SETE 2015 brings exciting

changes e.g. a new key focus for the confer-ence was introduced, namely golf tourism, which is important in the tourism sector and can help South Africa grow it sport and event tourism.

During the panel discussion on ‘The role of local government in events tourism’ which is based on a case study of the City of Tshwane’s Tourism Strategy, Deputy City Manager Lindiwe Kwele said: “We need to do more with less to stretch the rand and to apply a result driven strategy. It’s all about elevating the local economy. It’s also a good that the government is committed to growing sports tourism”.

SETE also presents an international hosted buyers programme, giving international hosted buyers the opportunity to visit South Africa and interact with South African prod-ucts, services and stakeholders in the sports and events tourism industries.

Deputy City Manager Lindiwe Kwele during SETE panel discussion on ‘The role of local government in events tourism’

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 12

A Heritage Day in CARNIVAL

CARNIVAL

The troupes and paraders coloured the streets of Tshwane during the 2015 Gauteng Carnival with the troupes and paraders showcasing their traditions and cultures through music, dance and attire.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura and other dignitaries joined more than 23 000 people in celebrating Heritage Day in the streets of Tshwane on 24 September 2015.

Local troupes consisted of various urban and cultural groups that in-cluded the Khoisan, Tswana, Venda and Afrikaner. Pantsula dancers and stilt walkers also added to the dis-play and demonstrated the dynamic cosmopolitanism of Gauteng.

The parade – a 6,7 km walk – start-ed at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria West, continued down WF Nkomo Street, and ended at the Union Buildings.

Meloding ya Tshwane Choral FestivalCelebrating the life and music of the late Joseph Solomon Phirise Motuba

The City of Tshwane, in collaboration with the Choral Music Association, hosted the second Meloding Ya Tshwane Choral Festival. It was an honour to celebrate the life and music of the iconic choral composer and conductor, the late Mr Joseph Solomon Phirise Motuba.

The festival was in the format of a music competition and was open to choirs in the City of Tshwane only. It was held at the main campus of the Tshwane University of Tech-nology and aimed to highlight and celebrate the diverse cultural richness and vibrancy of Tshwane.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Coun-cillor Nozipho Tyobeka-Makeke says music defines us and our diversity. She encourage choirs to continue telling stories through music, arts and culture.

MMC Nozipho Tyobeka-Makeke congratulated and handed over trophies to the winners at Meloding ya Tshwane Choral Festival

Tshwane UPDATE | Page 13

Editor: Dikeledi Phiri

News Editor: Antoinette Mostert

Sub-editor: Ina Stahmer

Layout: Vivian Taukobong

Contact us: media@tshwane.gov.za

Albinism is a rare, genetically inherited condition found in all ethnic groups. People with albinism have little or no pigmentation in their eyes, hair and skin due to a lack of melanin. They are sensitive to bright light and have a higher-than-average risk of skin cancer from sun exposure.

These and other challenges they face have been captured succinctly by Nontsikelelo Loteni, a beautiful human resource prac-titioner of Johannesburg who lives with albinism: “It was not easy. I grew up angry and bitter and was always ready to defend myself, but at the same time whenever I would hear of someone killed because of albinism, I would become fearful and wonder if I’ll be the next victim.” She added, “My parents and siblings never made us feel awkward; in fact we saw no difference. Life is complicated even more by the way people treat us, but at the end of the day you have to rise again.”

Many people with albinism experience a lack of friends due to isolation. Their condi-tion is a source of mockery, discrimination, prejudice and, more often than not, a source

of fear and violence. In many countries, especially in Africa, albinos are even being killed on a daily basis due to unfounded superstition.

Fortunately South Africa has not experi-enced albino-slaughtering apart from a few cases in remote rural areas; the main problem here is the segregation of albinos because “normal people” do not want to be in their company at all, let alone eat or share food with them. They are also called deroga-tory names such as “tshwafa”, “ikawu” and “umlungu”.

Little has been done about this secluded minority group in terms of creating platforms for them to voice their concerns, challenges and societal problems. Albino associations are docile and often not even known to albinos themselves.

Persons with albinism are just as healthy as the rest of us, apart from the fact that they experience vision and skin problems. They need to become accepted and appreciated members of our communities so their dignity can be restored. They also need a nation-

wide platform to bring the not-much-talked-about topic of albinism into the open and to help crush the myths and superstitions about it.

Educating society should go a long way in resolving this challenge and strengthening our communities. Information-sharing ses-sions and educational campaigns can help raise awareness and make albinos feel safe and accepted within their communities.

ACCEPTING THE ALBINO COMMUNITY: Let’s crush the myths and superstitions