News about the skin lightening cream struggle

WELL DONE DRUM MAGAZINE!

In the last Learn and Teach magazine we asked magazines and newspapers to stop advertising skin lightening creams. Drum magazine was the first to agree. They will stop advertising skin lightening creams. Learn and Teach thanks Drum. We hope other magazines and newspapers will do the same.

TOP SKIN DOCTOR GIVES ANOTHER WARNING

Ban all skin lightening creams with hydroquinone – this message comes again from a top skin doctor in South Africa.

The skin doctor is Professor Findlay. He has warned people about skin lightening creams for many years. He gives his new warning in the latest American skin doctors’ magazine.

Professor Findlay says the law the Health Department made in 1980 is no good. (I n 1980 the Health Department said skin lightening creams must not have more than 2% hydroquinone). Professor Findlay says the law is no good because people will just use more skin lightening creams.

Another skin doctor told Learn and Teach, “I don’t know why the Health Depart­ment doesn’t listen to Professor Findlay. He is the best skin doctor in South Africa.”

SCIENTIST ALSO GIVES WARNING

“Skin lightening creams are dangerous. They damage peoples’ skins,” a scientist told Learn and Teach. The scientist works at a university in Pretoria.

The scientist did tests with skin lightening creams last year. She tested creams that have hydroquinone. Most skin lightening creams are made with hydroquinone.

The scientist rubbed skin lightening creams onto guinea pigs. She rubbed the creams onto the guinea pigs every 24 hours. She did not give the guinea pigs a lot of cream – she gave the same amount people use.

After two weeks the guinea pigs’s skins went hard. They got bleeding scabs. After six weeks their feet and noses turned black.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT MUST BAN SKIN LIGHTENING CREAMS!

Letters from our readers

Dear Learn and Teach
I like the Learn and Teach magazine. I am a 21 year old woman. I left school in 1978. When I left the school, I was in standard four.
I left school because my parents died. Now I love to read your stories in English. When I read your magazine, I remember school.
Hilda Nomalanga Simelane
KENSINGTON

Dear Learn and Teach
I am an adult learner in Martindale, Johannesburg. Please forgive me ­but I want to be forward. I found a mistake in your magazine number 2 1983. On page 31 you asked us to make a sentence with these words:
Write to Teach. Workers many a Learn letter s.
I have tried all the ways but I can’t get the sentence right. I think the letter ‘a’ doesn’t belong in the sentence.
Susan Mnisi
TRIOMF

Thank you for your letter Susan. You are quite right. We did make a mistake. I’ve spoken to the man who makes up the English lesson. I showed him your letter. I’ve decided to give him one more chance -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I have a problem with my skin. I have a black patch on my nose. I think I got the black patch from skin lightening creams. I have tried some medicine but nothing helps. Please give me some advice.
Dorah Mudau
NZHELELE

Thank you for your letter Dorah. I’m very sorry to hear about your problem. Thousands of women in South Africa suffer because of these dangerous creams. I think you must go see a skin doctor (dermatologist) at your nearest hospital. But in the meantime, throw these rubbish creams away. -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I enjoy reading your magazine very much. I’m from a poor family. I don’t have money for school fees. Can you please tell me how to get a bursary.
Weppies Sambo
BUSHBUCKR IDGE

Dear Weppies,
Thank you for your letter. Many readers ask us about bursaries. We will write a story about bursaries very soon. But in the meantime, you can write to an organization for help. The organization is called the Education Information Centre (EIC) The address is: E I C, 6th Floor, Dunwell House; 35 Jorrisen Street, Braamfontein. -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
In 1975 I got a job with a lawyer. I left the job after three years. When I left he did not give me my U.I.F. card. He said he did not get one for me.
Then I got a job at a shop. The shop told me to go to the Labour Depart­ment. They said I must get my own card. So I went and filled in the forms. I sent the forms to Pretoria. But they never sent me a card.
Now I have worked at an insurance company for over two years. I still haven’t got a card. My boss did send the forms but we have heard nothing. What must I do? What happens if I don’t have a card?
Moses Pholoha
WELKOM

Thanks for your letter Moses. I’m sorry to hear about your problems with your blue card. You must make sure you get this card. If you don’t, you may never get U.I.F. money when you lose your job.
The law says your boss must ask for your blue card. All employers must get blue cards for their workers. Workers must make sure their bosses get their blue cards for them.
If you have problems, you can go to an organization for help. Go to the:
Industrial Aid Centre; 312 Trevor Building, Voortrekker Street, Vereeni­ ging, Tel: (016) 22 – 4743. -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
Please tell your readers about the Cape Town Trade Union Library. Five trade unions started the library. The unions want to help the workers learn about trade unions.
Books are so expensive today. Workers cannot afford to buy them. That is why the library has got these books about trade unions and workers’ problems. Any worker can join the Readers’ Club and use the library. There is a small fee. But if you are a trade union member, bring your membership card and you –will pay less.
The library has opened a reading room in Salt River. The address is 108C Malta House, Malta Road. The library is only five minutes walk from Salt River station. It is open every Satur­day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
R.G. Young
SALT RIVER

Dear Learn and Teach
I have read Learn and Teach. Now I have a friend to share my problems. I write stories. My first story is about a headmaster and the boy who ‘dodges’ school. I want to see my stories in books. Where can I send my stories?
Nelson Awaseb
ARANDIS, NAMIBIA

Thank you for your letter Nelson. You can send your stories to Ravan Press, P.O. Box 31134, Braamfontein; 2017. Or you can send your stories to: Skotaville Publishers, P.O. Box 32483; Braamfontein; 2017. We wish you good luck -editor

Letters from our readers

Dear Learn and Teach

I bought the Learn magazine in a shop in Durban last month. I have not bought the magazine before. I really liked the magazine. I have shown it to all my friends. I liked the stories about the old guys – “King Force”, “Sofasonke” and Helen Joseph.
I want to get the magazine every month. Can you send it to me?
E.M. Mbonambi Ntokozweni

Yes, we can send the magazine to you every month. Please send us a postal order for R2.50. We will then send you the next 10 issues. (Our address is: Learn and Teach, P.O. Box 11074, Johannesburg, 2000 -editor.

Dear Learn and Teach
I liked your story on factory workers rights very much. But many workers cannot understand English. So I sent you your story back in seSotho. Can you print my seSotho story in your magazine?
K. Lehoko Katlehong

Thank you for the story. Before we print your story, we must write the story in other languages as well. -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
Thank you for the stories on skin lightening creams. I hope newspapers and magazines stop advertising skin lightening creams.
Elizabeth Mashego Johannesburg

Dear Learn and Teach
I enjoy reading your magazine. Thank you for the stories on skin lightening creams. I don’t understand why people use these creams. We are born black. We must not be ashamed. We must be proud!
P.-Jiyane Tembisa

Dear Learn and Teach
I have read many Learn and Teach magazines. I have shown the magazine to many of my friends. They asked me to write to Learn and Teach.
My friends are factory workers. am studying for a university degree. am very keen to help my friends. Can Learn and Teach help me to help my friends?
Xola Nakase.
King Williamstown.

Learn and Teach trains teachers to help people learn English. We will give a course soon. We will write to you before we give the next course. We also train teachers to help people in other languages. -ed itor

Dear Learn and Teach
Thank you for your magazine. Your magazine helps many people. In your magazine (Volume 4) you wrote about factory worker rights. I work in in a hotel. I work 10 hours a day for six days a week. Can you please tell me about hotel worker rights?
P.K. Johannesburg

In our next magazine we will print a list of all the trade unions. We will tell workers where to go for help. So don’t forget to buy our next magazine. -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
Last month I did a business course for four weeks. The course cost me R 150.00. I did the course because they promised to find me a job after­wards.
When I finished the course, they only gave me a certificate. They did not find me a job. What can I do?
S.T. Tsoinyana Sebokeng

You must go to an organization for help. Go to the Hoek Street Law Clinic. The address is. 801 Metro Centre, 266 Bree Street (cnr Hoek Street) Johannesburg. -editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I have a problem. Can you please help me?
I left school because we are short of money. I want to work for a while to get some money. Then I want to go back to school.
I found a job in Alberton. But the Pass Office sent me home. They said they didn’t want to see me anymore. What can I do?
S.M. Madie Pietersburg

You must go to an organization for help. The nearest organization to Pietersburg is the Black Sash in Pretoria. Their address is: Presbyterian Church, 294 Schoeman Street, Pretoria. They are only open on Tues­ say, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
-editor

Letters from our readers

Dear Learn and Teach
I want to further my education. I have passed standard five. Now I want to do standard six. Then I want to do my junior certificate. Please tell me where I can study.
Archie Dlamini
Daveyton

You can study at a correspondence college. You can find a list of colleges in the yellow pages. If you need money to study, you can try get a bursary. If you need a bursary, write to: The Bursary Officer, SAIRR, PO BOX 97, Johannesburg, 2000 – editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I am a domestic worker. Please help me. I work long hours. I want a happy Christmas. I will have Christmas with the dishes.
Happy Christmas to everybody.
Maria Dikobe
Germiston

Thank you for good wishes. Most domestic workers work long hours. The law does not help them. But domestice workers have some other rights. We wrote about domestic worker rights in the magaxine earlier this month. We will send you a copy of the magazine. – editor

Dear Learn and teach
I write for a newspaper in Cape Town. I saw your story on “factory worker rights”. Can we use your story for our newspaper?
Kenneth de Bruin
Elsies River

You can use the story with pleasure. Anybody can use stories from the magazine. But please tell us before you use the story. -editor

Dear Lean and Teach
Thank you for your magazine. I though the story on mealie meal was very good.
Mealie Meal companies who care about our health must add vitamins to mealie meal. The vitamins will help fight a sickness called pellagra.
I want to tell the companies one thing. People need food to make them strong – not to fill their stomachs.
Fakazi Duma
Kwa-Mashu

Dear Learn and Teach
I really enjoy reading about Sloppy, Lizzie and Dumpy. But I worry about Sloppy. He always gets into trouble and he always has accidents.
V. Khumalo
Soweto

Don’t worry. Sloppy is a tough guy. – editor

Dear Learn and Teach
Your story about Lady Africa was very sad. I think Lady Africa is a brave and wonderful person. Please give us more stories about such people.
L. Maluleka
Johannesburg

Dear Learn and Teach
I read your magazine every night. When my English is good enough, I want to study standard five. I will study standard five at a correspondence college.
Jonas Kgole
Mahwelereng

Thank you for the letter, Jonas. We hope you do well. – editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I live in Namibia. I like reading your magazine very much. But I don’t like anything without music. Do me a favour. Write stories about music in the magazine and make me happy.
Roger Hovekie
Windhoek

Dear Learn and Teach
I really enjoy reading your magazine. When I finish reading the magazine, I always give it to somebody else.
I liked your story on skin lightening creams. I learnt about the damages of hydroquinone. After I read the story, I had a good look at the creams. I saw that all my creams have hydroquinone. Now I don’t use those creams anymore.
Most people use skin lightening creams because they want to lighten their skins. But some people buy the creams because they have pimples and spots. We must blame the chemists – they tell those people to buy the creams with hydroquinone.
Can I ask Learn and Teach a favour. Can you please give us a list of all the good creams?
Nomathemba Ndlebe
Peddie

Thank you for your letter. We think your idea is very good. We will try print a list of the good creams soon.

Letters from our readers

Dear Learn and Teach
I am writing this letter for my mother. She is very sick. My mother wants to find her daughter. Her daughter’s name is Fundiswa Joyce Nongindzi. Fundiswa is my mother’s only daughter. Can any of your readers please help? My mother’s name is Lucy Qabazi. Her address is: 16 Acute Road
Grossvenor Bluff
Durban
Salakahle Oabazi

Dear Learn and Teach
I am at school. I am in standard five. My father died in 1978. My mother works on a farm. Our family is short of money. I need a bursary. Can you please help me?
Leah Moagi Trichardsdal

Dear Leah
The Institute of Race Relations can help you. They can give a list of people who give bursaries. Write to. The Bursary Officer
SAIRR
P.O. Box 97 Johannesburg 2000
– editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I have read your stories on skin lightening creams. I started using lightening creams when I was at boarding school in 1967. Now I have dark patches all over my face. I feel like throwing my face into a dustbin. What can I do?
Joyce Sovenga Evaton

Stop using the creams. Go and see a skin doctor at a hospital – editor

Dear Learn and Teach
I like your magazine very much. I like writing short stories. I have written some stories already. Can I send the stories to you?
Ali Hlongwane

Please send us your stories. If your stories are good, we will print them. We want our readers to write stories for the magazine. – editor.

Dear Learn and Teach
Can you please send me a list of trade unions?
Joseph Matlamela E landsfontein

Many readers have asked us about trade unions. We will print a list of all the trade unions soon.- – editor

Letters from our readers

Dear Learn and Teach
I come from Soshanguve. But I stay in Taung. I am a form 2 student. I am also a photographer. Can I send you some photo­graphs for the magazine? Please reply in the magazine.
Ezekiel G. Letwa.

Thank you for your letter. Please send us some photographs. We are very interested. We will pay you R 10 for every photograph we use. Or you can write a story and take pictures for the story. We look forward to seeing your work.
Editor.

Dear Learn and Teach
Thank you for your magazine. Your magazine helps people. I liked your story “Say Goodbye to Skin Lightening Cream.” I’ll be very happy if they ban skin lightening creams because black is beautiful.
Lydia Kanana
Kwa-Thema.

Dear Learn and Teach
I liked reading your number 3 magazine. It was fun. Some things did bother me. What are the ‘peeople’ that you mention on page 1? Who is Herry Cooper that you mention on page 19? My English is not very good, but even I, for whom you are writing, know that you are not doing a very good job. Please would you try harder, as you are doing more harm than good.
Dr Roger Coldwell
Sociologist
Cape Town.

You must be joking! By the way, you missed another mistake. On page 21 we say the squatters in Alex went to shool. But keep it up, Dr Coldwell. If you find a mistake in this issue, we’ll send you a free subscription.
Editor.

Dear Learn and Teach
I like your magazine very much. But I don’t like the stories about boxing and soccer. Sports stories are a waste of time. Please write stories that help people. Write stories about workers and workers’ rights. Thank you for your magazine. I will write again.
B.S, Motha
Kwa-Thema.

Thank you for your letter. We write sport stories because many people like to read about sport. But we will write more stories about workers and workers’ rights. We hope you like the story on factory workers’ rights in this issue.
Editor.

Please write to us. Tell us what you think of the magazine. Tell us what stories you want to read. Or write to us if you have a problem. We wi II try to help you. Our address is:
Learn and Teach P.O. Box 11074
Johannesburg 2000

The Learn and Teach challenge

This person has hydroquinone poisoning. This person got hydroquinone poisoning from skin lightening cream. Most skin lightening creams are made with hydroquinone.

Most skin doctors want the Health Department to ban skin lightening creams. (10 out of 11 skin doctors told Learn and Teach they want skin lightening creams banned).

But last month the Health Department said they won’t ban skin lightening creams.

Skin lightening cream is big business. Black people spend over 30 million rands a year on skin lightening creams. Adverts in newspapers and magazines help sell these poisonous creams.

Show your readers that you are on their side. Please stop advertising skin lightening creams.

Skin lightening creams: a big new problem

Elizabeth Mohoane had some spots on her face. She wanted to get rid of these spots. Her friend told her to buy some Dolly Lou cream. She bought the cream and used it.

Four days later, her face got swollen and ‘burnt’. She got blisters allover her face and neck. She felt very itchy. Her face began to water. And then she got big white patches on her face, neck and hands. Big white patches that won’t go away.

She went to the hospital. The doctors are doing their best to help her. But nothing is happening. She is not getting better.

“I feel very angry”, Elizabeth told Learn and Teach. “Next month I wanted to visit my mother on the farm. But I can’t go looking like this. I feel so ashamed.”

A skin doctor at the Hillbrow hospital has seen 20 people like Elizabeth Mohoane in the past four months. She is treating all these people. Only two people are getting better.

All the people used one of these creams – “Dolly Lou”, “Charm All” and “Susa Amabala”. These creams damage some people’s skins after a few days. Some people suffer months later.

“All skin lightening creams damage your skin”, says the skin doctor. “But these three creams are doing terrible damage. They have put new chemicals in these creams. We aren’t sure what the chemicals are. We are trying to find out.”

The skin doctor is very worried about these three creams. “I have seen 20 people already. But my clinic is a very small clinic. I wonder how many other people have damaged their skins from these creams”.

The skin doctor is certain that Dolly Lou, Charm All and Susa Amabala damage people’s skins. She has done tests. She rubbed the creams onto people’s arms. And she saw what happened.

The doctor wants the health department to do something. “People make these cheap creams with all types of things. The Health Department must make laws to protect people.”

The skin doctor wants to tell Learn and Teach readers one more thing: “All skin lightening creams are dangerous. Black people must not use skin lightening creams. They have black skins for a good reason. Their black skins protect them from the sun. Very few black people get skin cancer. But thousands of white people in South Africa get skin cancer.”