Cameroon: Like LGBTI people, albinos also must fight against prejudice

LGBTI people and albinos have two important facts in common. Both groups live in a society that’s prejudiced against them. Both groups are fighting for acceptance and respect.

Willeam Bille Ekongolo provides an example of that struggle. He is using his TikTok platform to confront misconceptions about albinism while he also explores Cameroonian history.

Challenging stereotypes, confronting bias

By Erwin Ayota

Willeam Bille Ekongolo, known as Solomon Grundy 237, on TikTok, is a skilled communicator who educates and engages his audience through captivating storytelling. Reviewing the latest news and events in Cameroon, This 32-year-old web journalist reviews current events in Cameroon, shares insights on word origins, and addresses the challenges faced by individuals with albinism.

Willeam is one of several renowned persons with albinism reshaping perceptions in the Cameroonian social media landscape. Growing up, he was sheltered from stigma by his family but caught up with harsh realities as he reached adulthood.

He tells Minority Africa he started watching YouTube videos and discovered a new world: content creation. “Guys who were able to teach and entertain you on a platform other than television,” he says. “This style of consuming programmes changed my life because I realised I could watch them immediately after and not wait for a rebroadcast”.

With a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism and a specialisation in Social Majors, Willeam felt prepared to enter a field often dominated by entertainment-focused creators. “I had to break the ground and bring something other than entertainment.”

Overcoming challenges

Five years later, Willeam boasts an impressive following of 70,000 across various platforms, thanks to his educational content. Notwithstanding, getting here has seldom been a walk in the park. Persons with albinism in Cameroon have for centuries suffered stereotypes rooted in age-old cultural stigma and beliefs. Earlier reports mention spurn from family and communities, ritual hunts and mutilations.  They are often called by the derisive terms “ngengeru” or “mukala.”

For children, their peers tend to disregard and avoid them out of fear, wonder or contempt for their complexion differences. At barbershops, they take home their cut hair over suspicion of it being used for malicious aims. As adults, persons with albinism grapple with prejudices that complicate everything from job hunting to finding a partner. Despite these challenges, positive changes are emerging through education and awareness campaigns. International Albinism Awareness Day on June 13 highlights the strides being made by human rights organisations.  When Willeam began his journey in 2019, he faced low engagement and admits, “If you’re not mentally strong, you can give up.” However, the drive to build a supportive community kept him going.

He also endures slurs and taunts online. “When some people don’t agree with me, they remind me that I am an albino,” he says. Over time, he learned to block negativity, emphasising the importance of mental health.

Fulfilment and achievements

Despite setbacks, Willeam finds joy in researching, learning, and sharing his findings. His passion for history, research and discovery has resulted in an important database of content about Cameroon, making his TikTok a go-to resource for many seeking to understand the origin of names, things, places, and terms they hear and use regularly but are unaware of how it came about. This work has fostered a renewed appreciation for Cameroonian languages and traditions.

By joining trends and engaging in various forms of audiovisual storytelling, Willeam raises awareness about albinism within Cameroonian society, encouraging his followers to overcome long-standing stereotypes and prejudices. His work has led to job opportunities, and he receives heartfelt appreciation from his community. However, his proudest moment came when his father recognised his work after a video Willeam made explaining the term “ngengeru.”* “My dad came from work one day and asked when I made it, that it helped his colleagues who were sharing the video without knowing it was his son and it made him happy,” Willeam recounts.

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2024 has been a landmark year. Blanche Carelle Njoussi became the first person with albinism to compete for the national crown of Miss Cameroon, with the 26-year-old representing the North West region and winning acclaim as second runner-up. Since her crowning as Miss Albino 2022, she has advocated via her media presence for increased awareness around albinism.

Lisette Emmanuelle Waffo, a renowned voice-over artist in Cameroon, is also making waves. Her voice is instantly recognisable as the popular mobile telecom automated responder: “votre correspondant n’est pas disponible pour le moment, veuillez rappeler ultérieurement…” She built confidence in communication as a radio animator. Her voice quickly became on demand, gracing campaigns for multiple local, multinational and international companies. Lisette popularised the profession and developed a template for voice-over training peculiar to Cameroonian phonetics. She has organised and contributed to workshops on professional voice-over skills, coached and connected many youths to opportunities in the field.

The entertainment sector is also seeing transformative figures like Emma Morgan, Boy TAG and Mola Mongombe. At a time when folkloric music is getting mass appeal from the younger generation in Cameroon, Mola Mongombe is a fan favourite with hit records like “Moname,” “Jongele,” and “Dora Love.” His unique artistry and style have propelled him to a symbol of pride and admiration for the Bakweri tribe. These earned him a brand ambassador deal with one of the leading telecommunications companies in the country.

Aspirations

While the feedback and valuable interaction with followers always make him happy, Willeam admits to having bigger ambitions. “My objective is developing an online TV in the domain of education and journalism,” he says. The plan includes collaborating with other creators to share knowledge not typically covered in schools about Cameroon and Africa.

To achieve these goals, Willeam stresses the importance of parental involvement. “Parents should educate their children. When your child makes fun of an albino child, tell them, ‘You shouldn’t do that, that’s a child like you’.” He urges individuals with albinism to embrace leadership and transform perceived weaknesses into strengths. “ Let’s rather transform our weaknesses as strengths. Whatever your skin colour or nature, do what you have to do and do it well.”