The National Albinism Task Force (NATF) has condemned Boy Mamabolo’s utterances on social media platforms X and Facebook about the late Matthews Malebana, who is a person with Albinism.
Malebana passed away on 30 March 2025, and immediately after a poster of Malebana’s passing was posted on Social Media, Mamabolo went onto social media hurling insults and obscene words at the late Malebana.
Some of his own words to Malebana included, “He must rot in Hell…. a le hwe lekgwehle lee marete a lona (let the albino die).”
His statements are horrendous, and it is disappointing for a leader of the ANC to utter such words. This coming from a person who is supposed to be protecting our people and understanding our plight and challenges we face as persons with albinism.
Mambolo’s disrespect of the departed and the bereaved family who have lost a father, a provider, and a leader has left us with no alternative but to take legal action against Mamabolo.
He cannot get away with such statements. We are currently seeking legal advice on the approach.
We also call upon the ANC provincial leadership in Limpopo and the National leadership structure to take disciplinary action against its member for his strong worded utterances.
Albinism is a rare and non-contagious genetically inherited condition that is present at birth and affects people worldwide regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. Albinism also refers to the inability of the body’s skin cells to produce melanin, which is responsible for the colouration of eyes, hair, and skin. Thus, those with albinism appear extremely pale.
Persons with Albinism are constantly subjected to discrimination, prejudice and alienation due to misconception and misinformation on Albinism. Persons with albinism are subjected to hate speech and worse of all get killed for their body parts.
The recently promulgated and signed in law – the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act is an important piece of legislation for persons with albinism. It is also to provide for appropriate sentences that may be imposed on persons who commit hate crimes and hate speech offences.
We hope that with such a law in place, justice for the bereaving family and the albinism community as a whole will prevail.
For further information and enquiries, please contact; Mr Patrick Wadula, National Chairperson: NATIONAL ALBINISM TASK FORCE
