ROLE MODELS

People with albinism in the news

1. Thando Hopa – model and activist

Thando has modelled internationally, including the 2018 Pirelli calendar, alongside Naomi Campbell, Whoopi Goldberg, P Diddy and others. She advised on the production of DJ Ganyani’s (featuring Hloni) 2016 video, Ntoni, which turns some albinism tropes on their head. Check it out on Youtube. Says Thando: “When I went into the media space and started my activism I learnt through trial and error that I must control my representation, to embrace the fluidity in my identity, that context matters, and that I will give out information about myself and my condition if I decide to, voluntarily, from a place of power.”

2. Salif Keita – international Afro-pop singer and songwriter from Mali

Dubbed “the golden throat of Africa”, Salif is an activist of people living with albinism.

3. Shaun Ross – first international model with albinism

Shaun started the “In my skin I win” movement.

4. Diandra Forrest – an AfricanAmerican model and actress

A US female model living with albinism which has been signed by a major modelling agency. Her striking beauty has caught the attention of many magazines and she has graced several international fashion shows.