Josephat Torner (1977/1978 – 12 April 2020) was a Tanzanian

albino Albinism is the congenital absence of melanin in an animal or plant resulting in white hair, feathers, scales and skin and pink or blue eyes. Individuals with the condition are referred to as albino. Varied use and interpretation of the term ...

activist. He was featured in the documentary ''In the Shadow of the Sun''.

Activism

Torner was born in Ngwangwege, near

Lake Victoria Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. With a surface area of approximately , Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake by area, the world's largest tropical lake, and the world's second-largest fresh water lake by surface area after ...

. Torner stated that his mother was told by the midwife to poison him, but did not do so, instead encouraging him to go to school. When he was twelve his mother died. Torner then came into contact with a pentecostal church and then followed his secondary education. Torner subsequently moved to Sweden and studied management for three years. Torner at one point worked as a teacher. Since 2004 Torner was an activist for albino rights. In 2006 he gave up his teaching job, to focus full time on his activism. Torner travelled around Tanzania and the world to educate on knowledge of albinism and on

persecution of people with albinism Persecution of people with albinism (sometimes abbreviated PWA) is based on the belief that certain body parts of albinistic people can transmit magical powers. Such superstition is present especially in some parts of the African Great Lakes ...

. Torner worked for the Ukerewe Albino Association on

Ukerewe Island Ukerewe is the fifth-largest lake island in the world. With an area of , it is also the largest island in Lake Victoria and the largest lake island in Africa. Ukerewe Island is located in the Ukerewe District of Mwanza Region in the great la ...

. Torner worked together with director Harry Freeland on the documentary ''In the Shadow of the Sun''. The pair worked together on the project for six years. In the documentary Torner amongst other things confronts a local witchdoctor, who are frequently involved in persecution of albinos. He climbed

Mount Kilimanjaro Mount Kilimanjaro () is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: above sea level and ab ...

to attract attention for his cause. He reached the top on 8 August 2011. Torner said he climbed the mountain to show African countries: "that we are able. But lsoprotect us, give us a chance, don't stigmatize, don't isolate, don't hide us to the darkness room -- just open the way". Elizabeth May, leader of the

Green Party of Canada The Green Party of Canada (french: Parti vert du Canada) is a federal political party in Canada, founded in 1983 with a focus on green politics. The Green Party is currently the fifth largest party in the House of Commons by seat count. It ...

subsequently called him an international hero and compared him with

Terry Fox Terrance Stanley Fox (July 28, 1958 June 28, 1981) was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east-to-west cross-Canada run to raise money ...

. Torner had plans to climb

Mount Everest Mount Everest (; Tibetan: ''Chomolungma'' ; ) is Earth's highest mountain above sea level, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The China–Nepal border runs across its summit point. Its elevation (snow ...

in 2016. In 2018 Torner climbed Mount Kilimanjaro again. Torner survived two attacks on his life. He criticized the Tanzanian government for not doing enough to educate others on misconceptions and superstitions regarding albinism. To raise more awareness and acceptance for albinos in Tanzania, Torner founded th
Josephat Torner Foundation Europe
Together with Pieter Staadegaard they have successfully set up various projects to promote equality for people with albinism. Pieter Staadegaard has even started a coffee roaster
Usawa Coffee
where Tanzanian specialty coffee is roasted and sold, with part of the profits going to the Josephat Torner Foundation Europe On 12 April 2020, Torner was killed in

Mwanza Mwanza City, also known as Rock City to the residents, is a port city and capital of Mwanza Region on the southern shore of Lake Victoria in north-western Tanzania. With an urban population of 1,182,000 in 2021, it is Tanzania's second largest cit ...

at age 42 when he was hit by a motorist while crossing the street.

Personal life

Torner was married and had three children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Torner, Josephat 1970s births 2020 deaths People with albinism Tanzanian activists Year of birth missing Road incident deaths in Tanzania Pedestrian road incident deaths