Due to public demand, Sowetan is publishing the entry form for the yearly National Schools Essay Competition on Albinism.

Due to public demand, Sowetan is publishing the entry form for the yearly National Schools Essay Competition on Albinism.

It is sponsored and organised by Sowetan, the Albinism Society of South Africa, the Department of Health and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

It aims to quash the dangerous myths, misconceptions, rumours and superstitions about albinism, which is merely an inherited condition where a person is unable to produce normal colouring of the skin, hair and eyes, or a lack of pigment or melanin. Albinism is also a condition that can be limited to the eyes, or involve the eyes and the skin. It is caused by defects in the hereditary material that determines skin colour.

Pupils in Grades 11 and 12 can enter the competition. Entrants should write essays of not more than 1000 words on any one of these topics:

lAlbinism: being different in my community;

l Albinism: experiences of a teenager with albinism;

l Albinism: how I relate to people with albinism;

lAlbinism in relation to HIV-Aids;

lAlbinism: a disability or not?

Entries should be sent to: The 2007 National Schools Essay Competition on Albinism, PO Box 9881, Johannesburg 2000. - Victor Mecoamere