Bhut Malumz Publications

Othandwayo Yekani is a Komani born teenager, who is living with albinism and tells everything about the challenges of living with the skin condition.

Albinism is an inherited disorder that presents with little or no melanin production, which results in either little or no color to skin, eyes, or hair. Yekani always knew that her skin is different but she has never been offended by that discovery. It didn’t hit her hard because her community never discriminated against her. Living with albinism hasn’t been a hassle for Yekani other than the health complications she gradually suffers from.

My skin is very sensitive, so when there’s sun I experience complications. My skin peels off sometimes or develop blisters. I don’t just consume any lotion for my skin because of the sensitivity of my skin. So I am very picky towards what I apply on my skin.

Yekani said that although she hasn’t seen them, she heard that there are family members from her maternal side that are living with albinism. She was 10 when her family sat her down and explained everything about albinism.

I would tell an insecure teenager living with albinism to love and accept the fact that s/he is living with albinism. S/he should await challenges that with living with albinism. It is better to be a stronger person if you living with albinism because other people don’t fully understand the skin condition.

Health Department is one branch Yekani is satisfied with because in the past people living with albinism were not celebrated. They were merely not celebrated because people were not educated enough, and Health Department is slightly bridging that gap. But now, people don’t call people living with albinism immortal and a curse because they know better.