15 Apr 2021

Philadelphia Motladiile is a force to reckon with despite all the odds she battled with growing up as a child with albinism.

Against all the unpleasant experiences she endured, she emerged bold and courageous to excel academically and pushed hard to achieve most of her dreams so as to change the narrative of people with albinism.

Albinism is a genetic condition that leaves one without pigmentation, exposing the white layer of the skin and one has bleach blonde hair and pale blue eyes.

A single mother of two and the other four that she adopted is actively engaged in platforms that advocate for people with albinism.

She is the focal person for SADC Albinism Global Alliance, finance and audit director of African Union for Person with Albinism and she is the vice chairperson of Botswana Music Union Women’s Wing.

She has also organised and hosted several annual activities so as to raise awareness about albinism.

In an interview, Ms Motladiile said although her childhood was blissful with fond memories of growing up in her grandmother’s house, life outside her family compound was harsh as some people were not ready to embrace her condition.

Narrating her childhood experience, she said discrimination and stigma were the order of the day, especially when she relocated to a new town or village. “I felt more alienated when people stared at me in an unacceptable way and all the negative comments they spelled out made it difficult for me to fit in the society,” she said.

Ms Motladiile also faulted some societal perceptions about albinism as they robbed some of their self-esteem and the courage to unleash out their potential.

She said when she grew up it was a common and acceptable practice that when one came across or had to interact with people with albinism, they had to spit with the belief that it was a way to remain safe around them.

Ms Motladiile said she also learnt that some people perceived people with albinism as a good luck charm ingredient while others regarded them as a curse or a result of witchcraft. She said this had pushed some children with albinism to internalise the stereotype and they ended up avoiding mixing with people other than their close relatives.

She said these perceptions and stereotypes prompted her to engage in activities that would continue to advocate and raise awareness about albinism. “Well I was fortunate enough to be raised from a Christian family and this has enabled me to stand strong. Now that I am fully grown. I wish to embark on activities that will inspire fellow albinos, particularly those without a strong support system to stand for what they believe in,” she said.

One of the notable achievements along the path she chose was that of Miss Beauty with Albinism Botswana beauty pageant, which has now become an annual event since 2018.

 She said the contest was the first of its kind locally, and it was to make the public appreciate and understand people living with albinism and to also understand that the condition was a disability just like any other.

Ms Motladiile is also a gospel artiste and an author of note.  She has published two books that are currently used in primary schools for the Setswana syllabus: Molodi wa Poko and Pitso ya Goo Lowe.

In addition to her commitments to keep encouraging people with albinism, she recently released a six-track gospel album titled: Be Glorified which was recorded at Chankieland Studios in Gaborone.ENDS