Laetitia Fourie is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State, where she is driving meaningful change in the field of disability rights and inclusion. With her academic focus and personal mission, Laetitia is determined to shift the narrative around albinism in South Africa and beyond.

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Her journey began with her research into disability in the workplace, a path that opened her eyes to systemic barriers and social stigma. Her academic achievements are remarkable: an LLB and LLM, both Cum Laude. But as she humbly explained, it didn’t come without sacrifice. “It takes a double D: Discipline and Dedication,” she said. “It was not cum laude at first; I had to put in long hours and skip many social gatherings.”

When asked what advice she would give young people, especially those with disabilities who want to pursue law, her guidance was clear: “Identify your strengths. What is it that you want to achieve? What are you good at? Align your career path with your strengths. This is my advice for anyone who would like to study, not just for law.”

Her focus on albinism in particular stems from both personal and academic experiences. During her final year of study, her boyfriend became a quadriplegic after an accident. The experience opened her eyes to the inaccessibility of everyday life for people with disabilities and inspired her thesis on disability and workplace accommodation. Later, after attending a conference on albinism, she realised how little awareness there is about the condition and the dangerous myths surrounding it.

Laetitia highlighted some of the biggest misconceptions people have about albinism:

• Harmful cultural stigmas, where people with albinism are seen as cursed or associated with dangerous myths about magical body parts.

• Lack of understanding about their sensitivity to sunlight and UV rays, which directly impacts education and employment opportunities.

• Social exclusion, where children with albinism are hidden from society or kept out of school, limiting their prospects.

Beyond the myths, systemic barriers remain. From inadequate workplace lighting to inaccessible environments, people with albinism often face challenges that most are unaware of.

“Being aware of people’s circumstances and being educated is important,” Laetitia stressed.

Her call to action is clear: we need to become allies towards albinism, breaking stigmas, educating ourselves, and creating inclusive environments that enable people with albinism to thrive.

🎧 Watch the full podcast interview to hear Laetitia’s story, her insights on disability rights, and how each of us can play a role in changing the narrative.

Albinism in South Africa: Laetitia Fourie on shifting the narrative

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