Malawi Elects Overstone Kondowe, the First Malawian MP with Albinism
Overstone Kondowe (pictured in blue suit), recently elected to the Malawi Parliament, hopes his election is a sign of attitude changes towards people with albinism in Malawi. Source: Voice of America
In many parts of Southern Africa, people with albinism are harshly discriminated against, facing social ostracism and targeted abductions. However, the election of Overstone Kondowe to the National Assembly in Malawi marks a historic first as he is the first person with albinism to ever be elected. Albinism is a medical condition wherein the body does not produce melanin, commonly known as the pigments that make skin darker. However, melanin is also present in the hair and eyes, meaning an absence of it translates into light-colored hair and eyes. Melanin also helps develop the optic nerves, so many people with albinism often struggle with vision impairment. Due to their fair skin, those with albinism are at a much higher risk of skin cancer, particularly if preventative measures are not taken.
Kondowe grew up in a rural village and lacked access to resources to help him treat his condition. Nevertheless, he worked his way up to high level positions in the government and various non-governmental organizations — founding and directing the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi as well as serving as the President’s special adviser on persons with albinism and disabilities before being elected.
Malawi’s legislature is unicameral, meaning there is only one house, the National Assembly, which consists of 193 Members of Parliament (MPs). Each are directly elected in single-member constituencies and serve five-year terms. Kondowe represents the Nkhotakota North East Constituency as part of the center-right Malawi Congress Party, which is the majority party in Parliament. His main policy proposal is to ensure people with disabilities, particularly children, are supported in their course of education, and he pledges to use resources from the Community Development Fund to facilitate programs for people with disabilities and provide scholarships. He also promises to make potable water accessible to all of his constituency while using transparent financing for all contractors, and to push for improved staffing, increased pharmaceutical supplies, and upgraded medical facilities in the local area.
Kondowe’s election is significant as it is widely recognized that people with albinism face significant challenges in Africa, particularly women and girls with the condition. Since 2006, even with the majority of the attacks going unreported, over 450 attacks on people with albinism have been reported, occurring in over 25 African countries. Hunters target people with albinism as their body parts are often purchased by upper-class buyers and used in witchcraft rituals for good luck. This risk means many children with albinism have been left at centers where they are isolated from their families and communities, particularly after a wave of killings in 2007. Some families may even turn to infanticide, as children with albinism are believed to be ghosts or vampires.
Additionally, many people with albinism in Africa lack access to basic preventative health measures, such as sunscreen or protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats or long-sleeved shirts, and must work outdoors in the sun to sustain themselves. Thus, skin cancer is common.
In this context, Kondowe’s overwhelming electoral success was against all odds. Out of the district’s 10,828 valid votes, he received 6,729, or 62%. The next highest number of votes was a mere 1,929. However, his success may also be partially explained due to the strength of his party. Kondowe campaigned as a candidate of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which, between when Malawi gained independence in 1966 up until a national referendum in 1993, was the only legal party. Thus, the MCP has a long history of consolidated power, and although they initially lost control when the country held its first democratic election in 1994, they now hold the most seats in the National Assembly. However, even with this partisan backing, to those with albinism in Malawi and surrounding regions Kondowe’s new position of power as an MP remains a sign of hope that, in spite of continued discrimination and bodily threat, change is still possible and progress is being made.