Zulu king endorses new foundation that fights for the rights of albinos
THE Masiqoqane Albinism Foundation, an initiative of Durban-based DJ MC Pholobas, has received thumbs up from KwaZulu-Natal musicians and Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
The newly established foundation, aimed at fighting the abuse and killing of people living with albinism, was welcomed by various musicians and Zwelithini’s representative at its launch in Durban on Monday night. Musicians who endorsed the foundation, included kwaito artist Tzozo, maskandi artists Buselaphi, Glama Kamaskandi, Ofeleba and Vumile Mngoma.
DJ MC Pholobas, who is also living with albinism and works for Izwi Lomzansi FM, initiated the foundation after experiencing abuse and realising that other albinos were being killed and their body parts harvested for muti.
His real name is Andile Ngcobo.
Ngcobo revealed that he had experienced so much hatred and had even been told not to eat with other people because he was not a human being. “We’re really suffering as albinos because some people see us as people who were not born [like them]. Some people don’t eat food prepared by albinos,” Ngcobo said.
He said the foundation was established to fight any form of abuse directed at albinos, educating people to see albinos as human beings and making sure their rights are respected.
Prince Mbonisi Zulu said: “I was sent by my father King Zwelithini to announce that he is fully behind the foundation. This initiative is very imperative because it came at the right time since the country is experiencing so much hatred directed at albinos.
“We’re prepared to provide the foundation with all the support needed to ensure that people living with albinism are protected and not abused. We call on the government to embrace such initiatives aimed bring people together.”
President Jacob Zuma’s wife Sizakele MaKhumalo-Zuma said she was over the moon when she received an invitation to attend the launch. “I feel honoured to be here, and I congratulate Ngcobo for doing a great job. Our country is being tarnished by the abuse and killing of people with albinism. We’re all human beings. We’ve buried too many albinos,” the first lady said.
Tzozo, who bought 20 of the foundation’s T-shirts written “Stop Killing Albinos”, also said he was fully behind the foundation. “I’ve seen other campaigns trying to fight the killing of albinos ... but this one is for real. I’m offering free performances to the foundation wherever it goes with the campaign of educating people to refrain from killing albinos,” he said.