WAYNE GOVENDER | MY VITILIGO CAMPAIGN

Photography by Baveesha Photography
Story by Baveesha Naran & Wayne Govender 
Meet the good looking Wayne Govender, he’s a Lecturer based in Durban. The day Alvina and I went to meet Wayne, I expected to meet an elderly gentleman. Assumptions, I tell you.. so when we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. Wayne was so cool, confident, handsome and polite.
I love shooting fellow Vitiligo friends, because there is so much we have in common even before we meet. The connection and calm we feel around each other is so incredible.
During my shoot with Wayne , he shared his story. Wayne’s Vitiligo started as a tiny spot on his face. It was as recent as June 2012 when he was in Cape Town representing UKZN at a conference.  With the stress of doing his honors, his Vitiligo spread vigorously within a matter of weeks on the left side of his face and neck . At that time of his life he hated himself  and couldn't understand why this had to happen to him. He refused to go out and meet people. He was always described as a jovial person who loved meeting diverse people, but he couldn't do that anymore. He stayed at home because people kept asking if he  had burnt??

His biggest struggle was when people looked at him differently. Going out and having to put his head down whenever a beautiful girl walked pass him. Those where the struggles he faced just because he looked different.
After being in a state of depression, he one day switched the TV on and watched a movie called "The Fighting Temptations". Being a religious Christian, a song was sang at the end of the movie which says God still loves me despite the way I look ! He realized that he has his hands, his legs and his eyesight and he’s just like everyone else. That thought alone helped his confidence grow.  He began to understand that people stared not because of disgust, but rather because they do not understand and know the condition. He is now comfortable with the way he looks, he gets the general comment that it suits him.
His advise to those who  are have difficulty living with Vitiligo is to ...
Love yourself and  don't be ashamed by the fact that the colour of your skin is different. Be proud ! You are unique ! You are just as equal as everyone else ! Life is too short and uncertain therefore live life and be proud of who you are because that person is Amazing"