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150 attacks, 20 deaths, Malawi sinks $4m in four-year plan to protect albinos

The Malawi government has launched a four-year National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism aimed at ending atrocities against persons with albinism, and improving their social welfare

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The Malawi government has launched a four-year National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism aimed at ending atrocities against persons with albinism, and improving their social welfare.

For the past four years, the Southern African country has experienced barbaric attacks, including killing of persons with albinism, a development which has attracted intervention of international bodies such as the United Nations.
During the launch of the Action Plan which took place in the northern border district of Karonga on Saturday, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Jean Kalilani, said the plan focuses on all aspects of life including education, health, protection and human rights.

She said the National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism has been developed to guide the efforts to address challenges persons with albinism are facing.

“Time has come now for us to show the world the peaceful Malawi that we are where all people regardless of skin color and abilities coexist; where all people with all types of disabilities, and specifically those with albinism are respected and have equal opportunities in life,” she said.

She also said by inaugurating the Action Plan, the country was fulfilling objectives of the Constitution, particularly Section 13, which requires for development and adoption of specific policies and laws to actively promote the welfare and development of the people.

The Plan will be implemented through civic education and awareness raising, administration of justice and support of victims of attack, and safety and security of persons with albinism among others.

The implementation of the Plan for the next four years is estimated to cost 4.2 million US dollars, according to the minister.

UN Women Country Resident Representative, Clara Anyangwe, has since commended the government for the Action Plan saying it will complement UN’s existing support on raising awareness, strengthening community-based protection systems, providing direct support to persons with albinism and strengthening the justice sector response.

“The purpose of the Action Plan will only succeed when there shall no longer be any attacks on persons with albinism and when all perpetrators face the long arm of the law,” said Anyangwe, adding: “when people with albinism no longer live in fear, and when they hold decision making positions — only then shall we say we have won the battle”.

Since 2014, Malawi has recorded 150 cases of attacks against persons with albinism and at least 20 people, including women and children, have been brutally killed for their body parts on speculations that they are ideal for wealth creation.

Only 45 of these cases have been successfully prosecuted with results of conviction or acquittal while the rest are either still under investigation or in court.

Culture

South African amputee dancer, Musa Motha dazzles at ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

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South African amputee dancer, Musa Motha has entered the history books at the “Britain’s Got Talent” reality show after leaving the judges and audience in emotional tangles with his highly emotional contemporary dance piece.

The 27-year-old Motha, who had his left leg amputated as a young boy after he suffered from cancer, danced his way into the hearts of the judges and audience.

It was goosebumps and tears as the South African amputee made his way into the semi-finals at the “Britain’s Got Talent” auditions
show after the audience demanded he got a Golden Buzzer.

The electrifying dancer performed a four-minute piece to “Runnin’ (Lose It All)”, featuring Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin and it was enough for the judges and audience.

Motha m, who moved to London from his native Sebokeng in South Africa few years ago, was highly praised by judges, Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell, who had glowing words for him after making the semi-finals.

The judges’ attempts to comment on his performance were inaudible as the crowd continued to cheer and demand a Golden Buzzer.

At that juncture, all four judges pushed the buzzer together, showering an emotional Motha with golden confetti before they went to the stage to congratulate him.

While congratulating Motha, Cowell said:

“That was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in all the years I’ve done this show.”

Speaking after the rapturous applause, Motha said that he used to play soccer before he was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently lost his leg.

He then fell in love with music and his friends taught him how to dance, using his crutch in the place of his amputated leg.

“I asked my friends to teach me to dance. I use my crutches as my left leg in dance,” he said.

“I was diagnosed with cancer when I was young, which led to my leg getting amputated. This is a perfect time for me to reach out and inspire more people.

“I’m a true believer and example of breaking the word ‘impossible’ into to ‘I am possible’. I thank you so much.”

Watch the video here:

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Egyptian archaeologists discover ancient human, animal embalming workshops

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Egyptian archaeologists
have announced the discoveries of ancient human and animal embalming workshops at the Saqqara necropolis in the south of Cairo.

Head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, who made the disclosure on Saturday, said the new discoveries included two human and animal embalming workshops, as well as the tombs of two priests.

“We found two big workshops, one for human and then used in mummifying animals, while the second workshop is for humans only, we found also beds, mummification tools, and materials,” Waziri said.

“During the excavation we also found a tomb that belonged to Ne Hesut Ba, a priest who served in the fifth dynasty of the old kingdom, 4,500 years ago.”

The Supreme Council of Antiquities recently unveiled a string of major archaeological discoveries which Waziri said were key components of Egypt’s attempts to revive its vital tourism industry.

Mohamed Youssef, the Director of the Saqqara Archaeological site, who also spoke on the discoveries, said it was the first of such discoveries.

“This is the first time we discovered embalming workshops in Saqqara, associated with the temples.

“All the previous embalming workshops were related to Apis, the old Egyptian God of fertility and death, in Memphis which is part of Giza governorate now.

“That means it is an important discovery to have found embalming workshops here in Saqqara.

“We also found many statues representing the masterpieces of the art in the old kingdom which date back 4,500 years, and we also discovered antiquities and pieces dating back 3,300 years that represent the new kingdom, plus some jewellery and accessories.

“Also, we found cheese made by ancient Egyptians who used to store it in pottery jars and put it behind the dead.”

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