BY AGATHA CHUMA A LOCAL poet and video vixen, who lives with albinism Shaznay “The Ammartian” Wood, has applauded the support she is getting from fellow artistes who feature her on their videos despite her condition.
The youthful video vixen was featured on Jah Prayzah, Nutty O, Qounfuzed, Kae Chaps and Baba Harare’s videos.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, The Ammartian urged artistes to appreciate that albinism was not a disability.
“I am forever grateful for the support from fellow artistes who are helping to fight the stigma around people living with albinism.
“As a young video vixen and poet, I have managed to work with a number of top artistes on their music videos and I have not faced any form of discrimination from the musicians I have worked with,” she said.
“I thank the likes of Jah Prayzah, Nutty O, Qounfuzed, Kae Chaps and Baba Harare among others for including me on their music videos.
“Artistes should continue pushing for different people in society to create unity and lessen segregation despite who you are and how you look.”
The Ammartian said she was determined to grow her brand in the dog-eat-dog showbiz industry.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Music videos reach a broader audience and us featuring on those videos is a message itself to society that we are capable of doing what everyone else can do and it only requires one’s talent, not colour or race,” she said.
“The video of Nutty O’s song Be My Girl advocates for people with albinism as the three of us in that video are girls with the same skin colour and I appreciate him for that and giving us the opportunity to showcase our talent.”
She added: “The nation at large has also had its hand in making us feel wanted through the Mr and Miss Albinism pageant that helps us in showcasing the beauty within us.”
Through her poetry, The Ammartian advocates for better treatment of people living with albinism.
“In my teenage years, I was bullied and through help from a few friends I got on my feet and embraced myself and it’s never been the same ever since.
“This is why I try by all means to advocate for the albinism community through poetry, posts or whatever way I manage to represent them in the media,” she said.
Some of her poems include Chipondamoyo which won her the Best Female Advocate award, Shungu, African yet White and Musoro Bhangu.
- Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
