Brenda Mhlanga: The first female police officer with albinism

 “I had plenty of fears. As you already know, people with albinism have been living in fear in the country because of brutal attacks and murders, so did I. It was a terrible experience to live in fear in your own country and become the most haunted human being by your own countrymen just like an animal.”

Growing up in society has not been easy because her life was associated with shame and discrimination every day.

She suffered emotional distress due to derogatory terms such as ‘nkhumba ya chizungu’ (hybrid white pig) which some people labeled her for having a rare skin condition called albinism.

Her self-esteem was completely destroyed and nothing was left out of her.

But her story changed on August 26, 2022 when she graduated as the first female police officer with albinism.

This is an inspiring story of 20-year-old Brenda Mhlanga who is now working as a police officer at Kasungu Police Station.

National Police Spokesperson Peter Kalaya confirmed in an interview that Brenda is Malawi Police Service’s (MPS) first female police officer with albinism.

He said MPS is currently championing equity and inclusion of persons with albinism to increase their participation and representation in the service.

Kalaya said: “By the way, albinism is not a disability, but a condition. People with albinism are capable of doing anything just like anyone else. Brenda and Vasco Hamid applied for the police course, attended the interviews, got shortlisted and successfully completed the police training to become the first officers with albinism in the service.

“We are proud of their achievements because this is what the Malawi Police Service has been looking forward to.”

Brenda said she felt humbled to graduate as the first female police officer with albinism in the country.

“I don’t take it for granted. This can only be God. And I thank my employer for empowering and creating space for persons with albinism,” she said.

Born in a family of four children to Tione Nyirenda and Leonard Mhlanga, Brenda comes from Vimphosi Village in Traditional Authority Mmbelwa, Mzimba.

But currently her family resides in Lilongwe.

The police officer said there are three girls and a boy in her family.

She is the second born, the first is a boy, the third and fourth are girls.

“I and my brother were born with albinism while the two sisters were born with black skin. But m’mimba ndi mchipala,” she said.

Brenda did her primary education at Ekwendeni Visual Impaired Primary School from 2009 to 2015.

She was later selected to Mzimba Secondary School.

She said as a little girl born with a rare skin condition (albinism), she encounted numerous challenges as she grew up.

“The same applies to my parents. They were mocked, especially my mother that she had given birth to an immature and abnormal child. But I thank my parents for standing with me and my brother. They didn’t give up on us. They gave us love and education. May God bless my parents,” said Brenda.

Many years down the line, probably after suffering discrimination in society, Brenda is now a police officer.

She described her employment as a special gift to her parents who stood with her throughout.

“Today I feel great to be named a police officer not nkhumba ya chizungu anymore. I know I will be the role model to my fellow persons with albinism, especially girls in the country. This is a great achievement and motivation to the community of persons with albinism in the country because we did not expect this to happen. And I am looking forward to be used as a model by different campaigns because this will be a huge motivation to girls with albinism,” said Brenda.

She said expressed excitement when she heard her name had been shortlisted for the police training.

“I was happy. Of course, at the same time, I could not believe it because we were five of us [persons with albinism] who applied and I happened to be the only girl who was shortlisted.

“In total, we were three girls who applied and I emerged the only successful one. I do not take this for granted. This did not only bring excitement to me, but also to my family and friends. The jubilation was all over,” she said.

During the pass out parade, Brenda received a Bravery Award from Young Achievers for Development (YAD).

YAD executive director Jefferson Milanzi said the police officer demonstrated bravery and set a good precedence, particularly to women with albinism in the country.

He s a i d : “ D i s c r i m i n a t i o n , judgemental attitudes and unfounded brutal beliefs that certain quarters of the society have towards people with albinism are widespread. They make a lot of people with albinism lose self-confidence and feel excluded.

“But Brenda defied these negative voices to stand her ground until she graduated as a police officer. She has broken the record by setting the good precedence that all things are possible.”

Brenda admitted that because of  her skin condition, she had a difficult mountain to climb to become a confident person.

She had no sense of belonging in the Malawian society because she lived in fear.

Brenda added: “I also faced discrimination when it came to employment or economic opportunities. Just by looking at my colour of skin, people sidelined me from opportunities such as employment and other societal activities.

“But I breathed a sigh of relief when I was shortlisted for the police training. And I felt completely empowered when I graduated.”

She has the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), but is looking forward to further her education by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management.

Her ambition is to become an accomplishment human resource officer.

She said: “As a female police officer, my ambition is to make significant contribution to the country’s security and safety of the people and property. This includes security of people with albinism by among other things, investigating cases.

“I am always inspired by top female police officers such as the Inspector General [IG]. She is a leader who inspires me very much and source of inspiration to many girls and junior officers. Not forgetting male senior officers who support women empowerment.”

She advised girls, including those with albinism to work hard and build resilience against discrimination.

“First and foremost, I would like to urge my fellow persons with albinism to get education because this is a stepping stone to success.

“Education and courage will take them to places and positions they want in life and they should not be afraid because anything is possible,” said Brenda

She also commended government through the Ministry of Homeland Security for operationalizing policies that champion the inclusion and participation of persons with albinism in the country.

“This is a great development to have ever happened in the Malawi Police Service as far inclusion of people with albinism is concerned. Let me also take this opportunity to encourage other top officials, including officers, to inspire young and vulnerable people to aim high. It is through their motivation and inspiration that we can dream and achieve big things,” said Brenda.

During the 2022 police national pass out parade at Kanjedza Police Training in Blantyre where Brenda graduated, IG Merlyne Yolamu also spoke about equity and inclusion policy as part and parcel of the service.

“We have the equity and inclusion policy in place to ensure there are no systemic and structural disparities between individuals or groups. We want to make every Malawian a part of our organisation,” she said.

She committed that the MPS will continue to safeguard and protect the rights of persons with albinism in the country.

On her part, Ministry of Homeland Security Jean Sendeza said Malawi was a signatory to many international treaties which highlights the importance of equity and inclusion for participation of persons with disabilities. “Inclusive laws and policies are very important in safeguarding equity and inclusion of all persons with conditions such as albinism in society,” she said.