Albinism is something that is either revered or feared in most societies in the world, with very few accepting people who suffer from albinism as ‘normal’. In South African law, albino people are considered disabled and are thus afforded protection by the Constitution, with their labour rights being protected by the Employment Equity Act. The fact that a need for such laws exists is why people like 2015 eThekwini Living Legend, Bhekisisa Thabethe, perform the work that they do. Thabethe, an albinism sufferer himself, is the Chairperson of Albinism Society of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal (ASSA-KZN), as well as being a board member on the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa. In addition to his work with ASSA, Thabethe also lectures at UKZN, and is currently involved in a study that looks at the teaching of Maths and Technology in schools that cater for deaf learners. Thabethe believes that South Africa, which currently lacks skilled labour in the technology sector, is ignoring an untapped resource in schools for the disabled.
A big thank you to Bhekisisa Thabethe for challenging the way that people think, and helping to move South African society forward!