Group launches funding appeal for Mr and Mrs Albinism Africa pageant
By Caleb Chikwawawa
A local albinism group has launched an appeal on government and the corporate world to assist in funding the envisioned Mr and Mrs Albinism Africa pageant, whose aim is to build confidence and self-esteem among persons with Albinism on the continent.
Zimbabwe, through the Albinism Dare to Dream Initiative, is hosting the first ever Mr and Miss Albinism Africa pageant plus the African Diversity Festival.
At a press briefing in Harare on Monday, Brenda Mudzimu, the executive director of the Albinism Dare to Dream Initiative (ADDI), said the event requires a lot of resources considering that it aims to cover almost the whole of Africa.
“To undertake and execute an event of such magnitude requires a lot of resources,” she said.
“And we are appealing to both the government and the corporate world to come on board and help the albinism community for this cause.”
Mudzimu said they were looking forward to multi-stakeholder partnerships and sponsors for the success of the event.
“We envision several specific outcomes from this presser such as identifying and promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships and commitments that can directly contribute to this ambitious project and also advance more collaborative approaches as we plan to establish for exclusive cooperation with partners.
“We need sponsors and partners around us who care enough to commit to the joint efforts to the success of this event. Sponsors and partners are most welcome to this vision, ambition and commitment to the success of this event, as we are trying to make a real difference in the lives of people with albinism, their families, and the society at large,” said Mudzimu.
The Mr and Miss Albinism Africa pageant plus the African Diversity Festival will be held on the 28th of June 2025. The event seeks to address the discrimination, stigma and social exclusion among people with albinism.
People with albinism remain a secluded community within society with the condition sometimes erroneously assorted with negative traditional beliefs.
Perhaps the worst misfortune to befall people with albinism are killings targeted at the group in countries such as Tanzania and Malawi where some primitive beliefs the use of some body parts for ritual purposes could bring wealth and fortune to individuals.
One of the main objectives of the Albinism Dare to Dream Initiative is to ensure that the rights of persons with albinism are protected, promoted, and respected accordingly. The initiative also works to ensure that people with albinism can claim their rightful place in the society they live in.
