The South African Communist Party wholeheartedly supports the International Albinism Awareness Day pioneered under the theme “Still standing strong”. See the leaflet produced by the Alibinism Society of South Africa below, and take note of the Society’s contact details for further information.

The SACP reiterates its Fourtheenth National Congress Central Committee Eighth Plenary Session statement released on Sunday, 9 June 2019: Backward beliefs that lead to discrimination against and the killing of those of our people with albinism must be dealt with decisively.

South Africa has one of the most advanced pieces of legislation and policies on disability. However the implementation of these policies and measures for meaningful integration of people with disabilities in all key processes of societal life in South Africa still leaves a lot to be desired. The SACP will be mobilising all its structures to fight for the meaningful participation and empowerment of people with disabilities, including by government. All SACP programmes and campaigns must involve people with disabilities and also deal with issues that affect them.

 

Did you know that Thursday, the 13 June 2019 is International Albinism Awareness Day commemorated under the theme “Still Standing Strong”?

This theme has been chosen to recognize, celebrate and encourage strength in persons with albinism.

Did you also know that both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves?

What is Albinism?

Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancers.

Albinism is a genetic condition.

Types of Albinism

There are generally two types of Albinism which are:

Oculocutaneous Albinism:

There are 4 types of OCA that have been described depending on the type of genetic defect.

• OCA type 1: Individuals tend to have milky skin, white hair, and blue eyes. With age, some individuals' skin and hair may darken.
• OCA type 2: Less severe than type 1, this occurs most often in sub-Saharan Africans, African-Americans, and Native Americans.
• OCA type 3: Vision problems are normally milder than in other types. This mostly affects black South Africans.
• OCA type 4: This is most common among East Asian populations. It appears similar to type 2.                                              

   Ocular Albinism (OA):

Is a genetic condition that primarily affects the eyes.

This condition reduces the colouring (pigmentation) of the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye, and the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Pigmentation in the eye is essential for normal vision

Almost all persons with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.

Health challenges of persons with Albinism

The lack of melanin means persons with albinism are highly vulnerable to developing skin cancer

Skin cancer is highly preventable when persons with albinism have access to regular health checks, sunscreen, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing

Due to a lack of melanin in the skin and eyes, persons with albinism often have permanent visual impairment which often leads to disabilities.

They also face discrimination due to their skin colour; as such, they are often subject to multiple and intersecting discrimination on the grounds of both disability and colour.

For more information on Albinism contact:

Albinism Society of South Africa

Tel: 011 839 6529