THERE are myths regarding people living with albinism and this has caused many to fear being around them.
But Gaddafi The Poet has overcome the myths and has been fighting for the rights of people with albinism.
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Boitumelo Mainganya, is living with albinism and he is an artist with a cause.
Gaddafi, who was raised at Ha-Mulima Village in Limpopo but later moved to Soweto, told Daily Sun that growing up with albinism in a rural area was a struggle.
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“Firstly, you have to deal with people who lack information and knowledge regarding the condition (albinism) or any other related issues,” he said.
“Name calling, discrimination, stigmatisation and mockery were part and parcel of me and they impacted negatively on my confidence and self-esteem."
Gaddafi said although his family and friends supported him, the community didn’t.
“The community gave me a cold shoulder and they didn't understand how a person living with albinism is supposed to be treated. For instance, schoolmates couldn’t understand the fact that I am short-sighted and I had to sit in the front in the classroom,” he said.
Gaddafi said besides the stigmatisation by the community, he also faced other challenges.
“I couldn’t afford sunscreen lotion to apply on my skin because the condition is lack of pigmentation on the skin, hair and eyes, hence I had to settle for free packs from the clinic, which were not that strong or rather made a huge impact,” he said.
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He said he started understanding albinism when he went to Siloe School for the Blind in 2005.
“That’s when my mindset changed and I started taking care of myself,” he said.
He said when he is not fighting for the rights of people with albinism, he's entertaining his fans with poetry and deejaying.
“In 2021, I started working with the Department of Sport Arts and Culture on a campaign called Golekane, which was also featured in the Sunday Therapy movement on social media. I was also featured on Rhythm City to perform my work, which aired on 12 February 2021,” he said.
