ULLYING is a daily reality that young people living with albinism face.

For 13-year-old Thabo Kamba, the case has not been different. Kamba, who is in Grade Nine at Crested Crane Academy, faces a lot of challenges due to being a young girl living with albinism, a condition often misunderstood and stigmatised in many societies. “We are bullied, discriminated against, and people think we are ghosts. Most people struggle to accept us because they don’t really see us as human beings,” she said.

For Kamba, walking alone in the streets is dangerous because there is a belief that if a leg or an arm of a person with albinism is cut and sold, it is worth a lot of money because it allegedly has mystical powers. She said this constant fear means she often needs to be accompanied when she goes out. In school, Kamba and other children with albinism often struggle to keep up if teachers and classmates don’t understand their needs.

Despite these challenges, Kamba remains passionate and determined. She loves writing articles to inspire and empower other girls, encouraging them to stay strong no matter their circumstances.

Her role model is Esther Chungu, whose music and life balance inspire her, even though she has never met her in person. Kamba dreams of ending discrimination and rejection, aspiring to run an organisation that educates people about albinism and other disabilities. “My dream is to end discrimination, rejection and eventually to run an organisation for people with albinism and other disabilities,” she shares. Kamba’s journey into acting began with her role in the film “Can You See Us?”, which brought her international recognition.

She played Joseph, a character living with albinism, highlighting the struggles of being bullied and discriminated against. Kamba had to overcome personal challenges such as cutting her hair to play the role of a boy, and learning to play the guitar for the film. “Cutting my hair wasn’t something easy for me. I resisted a bit, but my mum and family members managed to convince me,” she recalls. “What matters most to me is the film’s potential to raise awareness about the struggles faced by people living with albinism,” she says.

Kamba hopes her story and work will change how people perceive and treat individuals with albinism. “I would want people out there to view us who live with albinism as normal human beings and allow us to hold higher offices,” she urges. Kamba plans to study law to advocate the rights of people with albinism and promote self- love and confidence. She encourages others with albinism to remain hopeful and prayerful. “I did not start my acting career overnight. I dreamt of it for years and thought it would never come true. Then it did because I had hope, faith, support, and I believed in myself,” she said.

Through her courage and determination, Kamba is not only a rising star in the film industry, but also a powerful advocate for change, inspiring many to look beyond differences and embrace everyone as equals.