Moral Regeneration Movement awareness campaign held

The recently launched Moral Regeneration Movement has already started with some of its programmes.

The movement partnering with the office of the executive mayor Cllr Linah Malatjie through the Transversal Unit, recently held an awareness campaign as a build up to the International Albinism Awareness Day which was celebrated on Wednesday, June 13. The awareness campaign was held at the Peniel Church in KwaGuqa in Extension 5.

Cluster commander general William Kekena speaking during the awareness campaign held at the Peniel Church.

According to the United Nations, as it is well known that people with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically. The physical appearance of persons with albinism is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalisation and social exclusion.

This leads to various forms of stigma and discrimination. In some communities, erroneous beliefs and myths, heavily influenced by superstition, put the security and lives of persons with albinism at constant risk. These beliefs and myths are centuries old and are present in cultural attitudes and practices around the world. On December 18, 2014, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming, with effect from 2015 on June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day.

Mrs Tryphina Nhlapho urging community members to love, support, care and protect people with albinism.

Ms Trudy Xhala-Mavimbela manager in the Transversal Unit under the office of the executive mayor.

In her address eMalahleni executive mayor Cllr Linah Malatjie thanked the churches for the role they played in guiding young children through the Sunday school. She said the children at a younger age are at developing stage and they will remember most of the things they are taught. She also added to say that all departments and the organisations need to join hands in giving love, support, care and protection for people with albinism.

“By engaging in such programmes we get educated and we now know more about people with albinism. We get empowered and we need to teach our children about people with albinism. Every member of the society need to come together to show them love and support. Let us share love, care and protect them all the time.”

Mr Thulani Mabena manager of the magistrate court also adding his voice during the awareness campaign.

Cluster commander General William Kekena speaking during the awareness campaign said as we celebrated the youth month, we need to teach them discipline so that they cannot be involve in criminal activities. He said young people are our future and the church need to take a leading role in making sure they grow to be responsible citizens.

“We need to protect our children and women and violent crimes they face every day. We need to talk about crime and the myths about people with albinism. As police we are not going to tolerate crime and will arrest criminals,” General Kekena said.

Mrs Typhina Nhlapho said they always walk in fear because they are treated as animals and they are called names. She said they were human beings like any other person and they need to be treated with love. She added to say that albinism started a long time ago as it is mentioned in the bible.

“As a community what are we telling our children about people with albinism? What role is the church playing in protecting people with albinism? We are now afraid to walk freely in the streets, we are being hunted, we have lost an innocent soul in Gabsile Shabane and she was only 13 years-old,” explained Mrs Nhlapho.

Emalahleni executive mayor Cllr Linah Malatjie addressing during the awareness campaign held at the Peniel Church in KwaGuqa Extension 5 on Sunday, June 10.

Mr Thulani Mabena, manager of the magistrate court and department of home affairs also supported the awareness campaign.