by Lerato Dumse

“I was in a very abusive relationship and in love with a certain person. When mama came to Joburg after receiving a threatening call, my ex lover told her that she was madly in love with me. My mama said to her, ‘when you love someone you don’t need to be violent or hurt the one you love. So love each other’.
When mama returned home in Durban she informed the rest of the family and asked that my relationship be respected.”

This was Zanele Muholi’s response to a question about whether her family was accepting of her sexuality. It was asked during the Q&A session of her talk with the Photography Associates at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), which is the second largest art museum in the United States. They are an intimate group of about forty or so serious collectors and photography enthusiasts.

“Marking, Mapping and Preserve-ing an often invisible community. With her camera, she’s created and continues to create an archive of positive images of queer black culture in Africa.” is how Liz Siegel, associate curator of photography introduced Muholi to the audience.

The art activist started the talk by reminiscing about the 2006 Chicago Gay Games, US. Muholi attended with the Chosen FEW lesbian soccer team of which some of the players feature in her photography. “I should confess that, the work is not about me, but the people featuring in my work. I happen to be the driver of the wagon that has so many people. I don’t call them subjects but participants, just like you are participating in this discussion right now.

Muholi spoke about racism and Apartheid South Africa, how it robbed many people of their loved ones and distorted part of South African history.
“Today there is a different fight, whereby parents are losing their children simply because of their gender expression or sexual orientation” said the visual activist/ photographer.

Some of the people in the photographs have children. Some are professionals. Some are survivors of hate crimes. Some are close personal friends of Muholi, while others have since passed away. The work is done to ensure that the will be a history that speaks to everyone, and if we speak of a South African history then everyone should form part and parcel of that history.

Forty eight (48) photographs were selected for the Carnegie Museum group exhibition out of 220 Faces and Phases series and Muholi is aiming for 500 as the target number for the lifetime project.

The group was informed that the award winning activist/ artist doesn’t work from a studio ‘nor use of artificial light.’

Muholi with Dawoud Bey, African American best photographer who attended the artist talk.
Photo by Lerato Dumse (7th Oct. 2013), Chicago

She showed portraits of herself saying she doesn’t mind being photographed, because she does the same to others and also wants to be remembered as a member of the SA queer community in history.

Two documentaries, one 2 minutes long, commissioned by Puma and another, an
11 minutes long Human Rights Watch (HRW) documentary were presented to the members of the Photo Associates.  They were shot in three South African provinces: Johannesburg, Cape Town and Limpopo.

Another question asked was: what is being done to combat hate crimes in SA?

To which Muholi answered,

“Various campaigns have been established, but the large diverse population leads to us pulling in different directions. Proper education of the Constitution in all communities is necessary and needed.

Andria Sandler describes herself as an art junkie who buys a lot of photography.

She’s seen Muholi’s work at different shows, even traveled to Cape Town and loves black and white photography. “I love work that’s political and has an edge and I bought the book in San Francisco” concluded Andria.

Barbara Rueben from Chicago has been collecting art for over 30 years. She was introduced to Muholi’s work at Stevenson gallery in Cape Town and has been following it ever since. “The talk was great, giving a much stronger insight, and her contribution to society is incredible. What she is doing in Africa is very exciting, giving a voice to an otherwise invisible part of society” continued Barbara who said the visuals are powerful.

Previous by Lerato

2013 October 5: Carnegie opening

and

2013 Oct. 10: The Artivist Talk visuals

Oyama Mbopa is a freelance artist who specialises in acting, dancing, singing as well as stunt performance.  She was born in the Eastern Cape in November of 1981 and grew up with her mother and three siblings.
She is a self-proclaimed lover of arts and sports.
Some of the activities that she enjoys partaking in are; rock climbing, hiking, and athletics.
She is also into reading.

Oyama Mbopa, Athlone, Cape Town, 2010
Featuring in Faces & Phases                                by Zanele Muholi

Oyama, who currently lives alone in Cape Town in the Western Province, attended the Durban University of Technology where she earned a National Diploma in Performing Arts, which was perfectly in line with her love for performing arts.

“I am a beautiful young dyke, a woman lover. In between I have my days of wearing skirts even though I look like a cute little boy” says Oyama.
She is currently not in a relationship but she quips “and if I was it would be with a woman.”
She believes that love is a feeling one shares with only one person. She believes in monogamy and safe sex and says “I, as an individual have no problem to same sex love making, as long as both parties have agreed about it and take the necessary precautions.
Her family has no problem and have no judgement against her nor her sexuality.  In her last relationship her family was supportive but her ex partner’s family had a problem of accepting who she was.

Oyama’s future plans are aimed at tackling ills that her community is grappling with.   The violence towards lesbians is in her eyes undermining lesbian relationships.  “We are not safe in our own communities.  People need to be educated that we are not just a bunch of people who are just playing house – but are serious about life and our sexuality, and the fear of the unknown is what kills our people, they are so closed minded”

She would like to eventually run for public office and become a politician where she can create a platform for other young people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Though we might say we are a democratic country, when it comes to the LGBTi rights which are human rights often taken for granted and we need a serious intervention.
Corrective rape is a very big issue in our country.
Lesbians are murdered day in and day out and still the government and our so called Constitution does nothing for the LGBTi community.
I have future plans revolving around homosexuality, same sex marriage, women and children’s rights and rights of transgender people with disabilities.”

On why she decided to work with Muholi, she imparted that “I’ve known Zanele since I was 16yrs old.  She’s one of those out spoken activists that had felt that enough was enough and if someone didn’t take a stand and challenge our country’s Constitution and fight for her human rights.
When she told me about the Photo Project I was looking forward to the 2nd edition because I also felt that my picture would help assist other LGBTi people to know that they are not alone in this struggle.”

Related life stories

2013 Oct. 12: I just feel she deserves much better

and

2013 February 28: I am not a Victim but a Victor…


and

2013 April 1: Who are you to tell me who I am?

and

2013 July 15: The virus has become a silent relative


and

2013 Aug. 19: The importance of self acceptance

and

2013 Aug. 22: Am exactly where I’m supposed to be

and

2013 Oct. 2: ‘I am a normal transgender woman’

Photos by Akhona Hailele (26.10.203)

About the photographer

Akhona Hailele was born on the 6th of November 1989 in Queenstown,
Eastern Cape and later moved to King Williams Town.
Hailele then moved to Johannesburg in 2011 to further her studies.
She is currently studying Motor Mechanics at Central Johanneburg College.
Hailele joined Inkanyiso early this year (2013) and has since showed a great interest in Photography and has been documenting for the organisation.

Related links 


2013 Sept. 30: Intimate kisses at Soweto Pride 2013

Location:  Credo Mutwa Park, Soweto. Johannesburg, South Africa. Photos by Zandile Makhubu & Zanele Muholi © 2013/09/28

Previous article on Soweto Pride


2013 Sept. 29: Soweto Pride 2013

and

http://africasacountry.com/soweto-pride/

by S’bu Kheswa

Pointing at me “UBusi ka S’gara – this is Busi, S’gara’s daughter” said Sis Fiki, one of the aunties in my neighbourhood.
This is some thirty years ago, I don’t even know what they were talking about but at the time it didn’t matter as it was common of adults to talk about me.
All the attention was not about me, it was about my father.
I miss him. I think about him and even more lately.
When I am well dressed and smelling good I really wish he was around to witness my growth.
In my wildest dreams I can see him boasting to his friends about his oldest son. Other kids got toys and dolls and even school uniforms from their fathers. I got none of that but I know for sure my father loved me.

At any given day I would be playing with my friends in the dusty streets of Soweto and my father would be on his way to his friends or to a local soccer match or to gamble dice. He would just demand I go with him and I would gladly join him.
My family would worry so much as I would be gone for hours on end.
They always feared that he would take me for good.
At Sju’s shebeen Sis Margaret told my father “S’gara uchama into enhle – S’gara you ejaculate a nice thing.”
I seem to think that this compliment was about my good looks.
Given my generosity, I am very much willing to share this compliment with him.

It is sometimes disappointing that many people don’t experience me as someone from Soweto. I am from Zola, eMzambia, eZola emabhodini  kwamshay’zafe!
Zola was one of the notorious sections of Soweto.
My father was one of the guys who ensured Zola’s bad reputation.
Different generations from Zola have witnessed all kinds of crimes that you can imagine, be it car hijackings, jackrolling, house breaks and robbery.

It was a very sad Saturday afternoon to me as the community was ululating watching the police arresting S’gara for robbing people of their possessions.
This is my father we are talking about.
Couldn’t the police pardon him?
I wished people could understand that when this guy is out of prison no one could touch me.
Instead guys and tsotsis would greet me and tell one another “this is S’gara’s kid”.
As a child I wished to have my parents in the same household.
In retrospect, I think it was good that they ended it when I was conceived.

The 90s were an important era in the lives of many South Africans.
Kwaito emerged in this era and this music genre affirmed many young people from the townships.
Kwaito also produced many music artists and some of them are from my township, among them are Mdu, Mandoza, Mzambiya and Zola 7.
I would like to believe that the emergence of all these stars contributed positively towards changing the reputation of Zola. I also want to believe that over the years Zola produced other kinds of stars who are not necessarily in the public eye.

One of these days I will openly share about the crimes that were committed to me as a child, later as a teenager and as an adult.
I can’t believe I have protected these criminals for so long.
Sies! Magwala ndini!
You take advantage of vulnerable.
Is this what your masculinity is about?
These bastards have infested our homes, our streets, our schools and our jobs.

I’ve had to live with this paradox for the longest time in my life.
Look!
Being a female-bodied boy was not going to exempt me from men’s cruelty.
Believe me when I say it is very hard to identify with your abuser.

I am my father’s son. I aspire to be an honourable man, a man who is not a threat to anyone.  I dream to be a man that my mom, my sister, my wife, my daughter and friends will be proud of. I also hope to be a man that younger man can look up to.

Please do me a favour. When you bump into SisFiki please correct her “uSibusiso ka S’gara – This is Sibusiso, S’gara’s son”

Previous by S’bu

2013 Oct. 24: Jack Daniel’s

and

2013 Oct. 18: Transition is in your hands

by Zandile Makhubu

They are no strangers to the media world. Kally and Sam Mabe are a legally married lesbian couple, who shot to fame when they got married and publicised their union on various magazines including DRUM and Real magazines as well as newspapers that graced their wedding ceremony to the world. The couple spoke to Charmain Carrol, the host of the CC Show which is a Production of Inkanyiso Media.
They discussed preparations and the road to their future together, which will be aired soon on Inkanyiso TV.

Sam & Kally.
Photos by Xana Nyilenda (25.10.2013)

Passionate about each other and family, they speak of their 6 year old son Kabo, who is their joy and happiness. Sam quickly adds, “No one can dispute that he is my son even though I am not his biological mother.”
Earlier this year, the Mabe family were marred by controversy regarding their son facing discrimination because he had said that he had two mothers at school.
“Our son had told us that at school they were talking about parents at home and he stood up and told the teacher he had two mothers and a father” Sam says.
The headmaster gave them an ultimatum to either break up or have the child dismissed from school because they had not disclosed their sexuality to the school.
They were faced with discrimination but most importantly, their son potentially being dismissed from school.
After numerous meetings with the school, Kabo was allowed to stay in the school, with no further incidents since.

Being in the spotlight has not changed them. Kally a successful IT Specialist and Sam a Mechanical Engineer says they are enjoying life together as any normal married couple would.
And they laugh off the suggestion that they are a picture perfect couple. “There is nothing perfect about us, we are also human and make mistakes,” Kally explains.

Their relationship hasn’t been all roses and violets. “I sat my family down and told them that I want to get married to the woman I love,” says Kally explaining that it wasn’t easy at all for her family.
“They met up with Sam, and blatantly told her to break up with me and to never see me again.” Although they faced difficulties before getting married, they never gave up on each other, and the challenges they faced brought them even closer together.
Their families have accepted their marriage, Kally proceeds to say, “All I wanted to do was the right thing and make an honest woman of my wife.”

p.84 Drum magazine of 7th June 2012 featured the best wedding of Kally & Sam.
Original source: DRUM

Seeing them together makes it clear how strong their love is and that nothing can stand in their way. Further proof is that even when their wedding bands were stolen, rather than re-purchasing and having to go through the process of the bands being blessed by their priest again, they opted to have their ring fingers tattooed, with the symbol of Infinity literally inked forever on their fingers.
Participating in a photo shoot for a portfolio of themselves orchestrated by Inkanyiso Productions, the couple spoke of how they wanted to do this a long time ago but couldn’t find the people and the right atmosphere to do it.

Despite the hurdles that the young couple had to overcome, it wasn’t long after we began photographing them, that we saw a different side of them, the witty sarcasm,fun loving and content side that we grew to envy. They shared their lives with us and their plans, Sam supported by her partner, is an aspiring singer under the alias “SAVALI” who already has records and has showcased some of them at the third annual LGBTI awards held at the State Theatre in Pretoria on the 26^th of October 2013 as well as the third Pink Girl Fest in Magaliesberg on the 21 September 2013.

The Mabe’s have their lives to look forward to and the family they plan to build with their son, and hopefully expand the pack in the future.

Young beautiful, intelligent, stylish and focused couple, Sam & Kally,  after the CC show…
Photos by Xana Nyilenda (25.10.2013)

Related articles

Split up or son will be expelled, school tells lesbian couple

Previous by Zandile 

2013 Feb. 14: Hello, my name is Zandile, and I am in love with a woman

Only 8 days more to go before D-day which is the 7th Dec. 2013

Please come support this initiative and check more details on Facebook should you wish to come on board with your skills and moolahs.
Twitter @MissGayLesbianSoweto.

Facebook: Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto 2013.

2013 Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto pageant

by Lerato Dumse

The Miss Gay and Lesbian Soweto pageant is an idea born in the year 2000 and was turned into an annual event, until 2006. Then the strain of using money from their pockets, due to lack of funding and sponsorship, forced organisers to stop hosting the beauty pageant.

However they refused to give up, and in 2012 the beauty pageant was resuscitated. On Saturday, 7th of December 2013, Soweto Theatre hosted the 9th Miss Gay and Lesbian Soweto.

Although they have upped the standard, even changing venues, their efforts were in vain as the event failed to pull the crowd.

Mpho Maqalika performing at the 2013 Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto

The event kicked off with a powerful poetry performance titled “unattainable soul” by Mpho “Poposki”. The poet also performed another poem titled “My complexion” which speaks of inner peace and not allowing other people’s expectations to lead us to self hatred. While Tumi Ndweni wowed the audience with a drag performance of Brenda Fassie’s Black president.

For their first appearance on stage, the contestants were wearing white, as a way of paying tribute to former President Nelson Mandela, as well as gays and lesbians who’ve been killed.

Labelz & Boiki, the best MCs in town…

Duo, Labelz and Boiki kept the audience entertained as MCs. The pair kept changing from one elegant outfit to another, and Labelz’ humor left people in stitches.

Eva Mofokeng leading the girls in swimwear

The swimwear category followed the tributes and was energetic and beautifully choreographed. The showstopper has to be the formal wear category, which saw contestants pull out all the stops.

The contestants impressed the audience and judges, by strutting their stuff: high heels, makeup, hairstyles and figure hugging dresses. While the lesbians looked handsome in suits, waistcoats, ties and bowties.

Once the “beauty” contest was wrapped up, the top five was selected and asked questions as a way of testing their “brains”. This section is often controversial and entertaining, and this pageant was no different.

Some of the questions asked included:

• When did Nelson Mandela die?
• What is the meaning of lgbti (the contestant quizzed failed to answer)?
• Who was the first black lesbian to come out in public and the media?
• What does the lgbti flag represent?
• What book are you currently reading?

This section resulted in some funny, smart, dull and unfortunately not so smart answers. After the second round of questions, it was time announce the top three.

Miss 2013 Gay Soweto: Nhlanhla ‘Fiona’ Thabatha, 1st Princess, Dimpho Tsotetsi and 2nd Princes Miss Tee Menu

The winners are:

Gays
Queen: Nhlanhla aka “Fiona” Thabatha
1st Princess: Dimpho Tsotetsi
2nd Princess: Miss Tee Menu

Vuvu in best red outfit impressed the audience and came the 2nd Prince…

Lesbians
King: Paballo Tholwana
1st Prince: Nini Moagi
2nd Prince: Vuvu Makubetse

All in all, the event was well organized and the contestants seemed prepared, the most disappointing part is that there was less audience than expected. We hope that the 2014 pageant will have positive vibe considering that we’ll be celebrating South African 20 Years of Democracy.

Women flaunting their all at recent 2013 Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto contest… Centred is Dimpho Tsotetsi who became the 1st Princess. Photos by Zanele Muholi (2013)

Previous by Lerato

Related articles

2013 Dec. 3: Gorgeous people at the Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto 2013 semis

and

2013 Sept. 15: Lack of SA Queer History knowledge at the Miss & Mr Gay Daveyton

and

 Jaw-dropping beauties at the Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto 2013 semi-finals

and

2013 Nov. 8: Miss Gay & Lesbian Soweto 2013 Semis video

Twitter @MissGayLesbianSoweto.

Facebook: Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto 2013.

Click here for more photos from the 2013 Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto finals.

by Yaya Mavundla

Two days before the wedding (19/12/13) everyone at Inkanyiso is confused about when the wedding is.
Is it Saturday or Sunday, we contact a few people in Daveyton and NO one knows about the wedding.
Then we called Lesiba Mothibe (Uthingo Chairperson) who was also unsure.

“You are hereby Summoned to Appear as a Witness for the two Accused, Promise Meyer & Gift Samonne.
Charges: Falling in love.
Court: 607 Vivian Drive, Chris Hani Park, Daveyton.
Sentencing: 22nd December 2013, 14h00 for 14h30”

Promise & Gift sharing a kiss after photo shoot at O.R Tambo gardens, Wattville.
© Photos by Zanele Muholi

Need I say more?
All I can say is we had so much fun after reading the invitation.
We then started with task delegations and were looking forward to the wedding.
I of course had to worry about what to wear, but trust me I wasn’t the only one worried.

Sunday 22^nd Dec. 2013, at 11h30 we were ready to rock and roll. We drove to Daveyton with the team and got there around 12h00. At first we couldn’t find the venue, but eventually we got there after driving around.

“Who is getting married” was my first question when we got into the house.
I was confused; perhaps it was the environment, the setting. I didn’t get a clear indication of what was happening, who was doing what?

At around about 12h15 a very tall gay guy, light in complexion wearing a leopard print vest arrived while we were still chatting to the people who were busy decorating the tent for the wedding. “Hi, I’m sorry I’m late, things are hectic, thank you for coming” and that was Promise, the bride!

We sat next to the tent and asked him a few questions and you could just tell that he was under so much pressure, but I mean it’s his wedding day, its normal.

The honest truth is we were exhausted, we really wanted to see things starting to roll already. I will not lie, I was skeptical that things will be in place by 14h00 to start the programme as the person who was getting married was still busy with the dishes and cooking, basically all over the place, making sure that everything was in order. He eventually got dressed, but I wasn’t convinced that things would be ready by 14h00!

To my surprise, things were ready before 14h00.
I really loved the Kilt skirts, such a statement! The taxi that was confirmed to transport bridesmaids and groomsman to O.R Tambo Cultural Precinct for pictures didn’t pitch!
Luckily we came to the wedding with a taxi so things came together and were off to O.R Tambo.
The energy from everyone in the taxi was amazing, we partied so hard on the way and everyone was ready to pose like a cover girl.

When we got to the venue, the bride (Promise) directed everything very smoothly. It was his task to do so, as he was also the wedding planner.
As always, there will always be show stoppers and the ones that just don’t get it, like they would say on twitter #TheStruggleContinues, trust me that’s exactly what happened.  Some of the grooms men just didn’t get it, but then again, they are “butch” so we can forgive them.

While we are busy with the pictures, I had a chat with the bride, Promise Samonne-Meyer, I could tell that he was now a bit calm than he was when we were at the house earlier.
I asked him, what would you like to tell me about today’s experience?
He immediately responded “I am so happy knowing that everything is going on as planned, we are making history in Daveyton, we are the 1st Gay Couple to get married here” I was impressed.

Even when he was posing for pictures with his husband, you could tell that he was happy.

After wrapping up at the Precinct, we rushed back home. When we got there, boom, everything was ready and people were all over the place including curious neighbors.
The deco was stunning in red and white. I loved how they made everything look intimate.
Proceedings started immediately after everyone was seated in nice round tables of 10 seats.
Mini platters with samoosa’s, small pieces of fried chicken and onion rings were placed amongst glamorous cutlery, and of course a bottle of champagne.

Before the programme director, Eric Motsema even started with the programme people started helping themselves with the food.
Then the official opening of the ceremony started by prayer led by female Pastor Ndlovu.

The process got disturbed for a while because Promise had to connect with his ancestors, since both newly weds are sangomas (traditional healers).
Eventually things got back to the programme, the Pastor mentioned “njengoba nilalana anihlukanga ndawo, okwenzakalayo phakathi kwenu ningakukhipheli ngaphandle ngoba kuyohamba nomoya, uthando luyabekezela.”
After the Pastor finished preaching, family and friends began sharing their thoughts, wishes and experiences they had with the couple.

The most moving message came from the mother of the bride, Mrs Shezi who spoke so fondly about the couple and her son Promise.  She confirmed to everyone that she supports and gives the two her blessings.

She went as far as saying “angizange ngitshele muntu ngalomcimbi, abantu abaningi nje engibabona lana ng’yaqala ukubabona. Abanye ngike ngababona emagcwabeni. Anginandaba ukuthi abantu bathini, uPromise ngumntwana wami, ukuthi omunye umuntu uthini anginandaba.”

You could tell who was there to see where ‘will this end.’
And you could also tell who was there to support, as there was a minority that was very shied away and not even willing to turn their faces towards the cameras.

Promise’s mother receiving a gift from the son-in-law, Gift…

Towards the end, the couple shared their wedding vows, flittering and so excited.
With a beautiful smile, Mpho made it clear that he “will always be there for Promise to comfort, love, honour and cherish” him at all times.
He also promised to be a true and faithful partner.

While Promise said he will comfort his husband in times of sorrow and struggle, to cherish and always hold him in highest regards.
The couple decided to use double barrel surnames for their union.
Then the couple cut the cake and fed each other.

The guests were smitten, and then it was time to pop the champagne.

The guests were served with variety of food between rice, pap, chicken, beef, fish and a number of salads.
I spotted a lot of exciting people, some of them were the former Miss Gay Daveyton, Lesiba Mothibe, and dancer Xoli Ntsebeza to mention a few.

L-R: Xoli, Xolani, Lesiba, Yaya & Thembi

The atmosphere was just beautiful, you know when people are happy, and that’s exactly what was happening there.
Inkanyiso media were the official documenters of the whole event.
Some well dressed persons wanted to shine, forgetting that it was Mpho and Promise’s moment.  All in all we had a great time.

About the author

Yaya Mavundla (25) is a writer, cultural activist and events organizer.
Previously worked with Exit and Miss Gay Lesbian Soweto.
Currently contributes to Inkanyiso media.

by Yaya Mavundla

I remember two decades ago when I was 5 years old; I didn’t know what Christmas meant. All I knew was that my granny will buy me nice clothes.
On Christmas day we would go to church, and on our return my aunt who lived in KwaMaphumulo in Kwa-Zulu Natal would serve rice, chicken curry, salads and for dessert custard & jelly, 3 biscuits that were washed down with some cold squash.

Today things have changed, not just for me but many people.
Who on earth ever thought that people would want to travel the world just for Christmas?
Well, believe you me, it’s happening.

I’ve been given the task of finding out about people’s previous Christmas experiences and what they long for this Christmas. The plans they have for the day and those they’ll be spending it with.

Mzamo Gcabashe, Parktown. Johannesburg (2013)
Photo by Zanele Muholi

I spoke to a few interesting  people such as the forever humble social butterfly and the King of Cabaret Amstel Maboa, the reigning Miss Black Pride Candice Nkosi, the bubbly and dramatic Mzamo Gcabashe and of course the newly-wed couple Promise and Mpho Samonne-Meyer to name a few.

Those interviewed also shared their wishes.
All I can say is that some need to write a letter to Santa Claus.

South African well known make-up artist Lwazi Blose Cele aka Diva Kadach said for him Christmas is time to appreciate the gift of life.
“It means understanding the meaning of giving and sharing. It is time to rejoice and be thankful to the Lord for all his mercies and undying love” Diva Kadach explains.

Even though he understands the meaning of giving and sharing, things for him are different.
Losing his mom 8years ago, a few days before Christmas doesn’t make things easy.
“This I know will be the hardest of them all as I’m not in good terms with my family and they moved out. I am now alone and when such things happen, you can’t help but wonder how life would be, had she still been alive. Every Christmas she would wake up and prepare a feast fit for a Queen and King. She strongly believed in sharing and giving. Even though these things happen, the pain and other harsh experiences don’t stop people from dreaming big.”

Lesiba Mothibe, Chairperson of Uthingo in Daveyton.
Former beauty queen.
Photo by Zanele Muholi (2013)

Diva Kadach would love to be somewhere where he can witness white Christmas simply because it looks posh and fancy.

 While Amstel on the other hand insists that his ideal destination for December 25^th is to be at Church and home.  Spending time with family is the best way to spend the day.

“I would love to be in Cape Town for Christmas” said Xoli Ntsebeza from Daveyton in Johannesburg
“I would love to get a laptop for Christmas. That is something I would love to get, a laptop for Christmas” repeated Lesiba Mothibe, Chairperson of Uthingo a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) organization in Daveyton (Johannesburg).

“I would love to spend Christmas where there is snow and my dream meal on Christmas Day is sea food, I know it’s strange but it would be a change” that is Durban’s Marven Buthelezi dream.

I wanted to pinch myself so I can believe I was still alive, these sounded like a fairy-tale!
But then again I realised we are on the 21st century anything is possible.

While some people might take Christmas very lightly, it is something very emotional for some people and it reminds them of a lot of things.
“For me, Christmas is a very special day, because we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ our saviour, Amstel’s meaning of this special day.
“As a member of 3sum most of my Christmas days were spent with Koyo Bala and Jeff Moyo (the late member of the defunct popular gay group. Moyo passed away 4 years ago).
Sometimes I’ll be either at a show or maybe in Rustenburg at Jeff’s home, or in Cape Town at Koyo’s home or in Mamelodi with my family.
We were always together during this time, I must say I miss Jeff Moyo everyday” he added.

As it might seem spending Christmas with family is the best way for some people, others are deprived of that because of responsibilities at work. Whereas others are either evicted from homes due to homosexuality or have no connections with family because of their sexuality.
Some are just comfortable to be away with their partners away from everyone else.
Miss Gay Soweto founder and organizer Letebele Motswenyane will not be going home and will be spending Christmas in Johannesburg alone due to work commitments and his studies.

The Feather award winner for Socialite of the Year 2013 and Cula Sibone presenter, Bujy Bikwa won’t be spending his Christmas with his family too.
“I will be dropping my family off in Midrand and going to Potchefstroom that’s where I will be spending my Christmas”, spoken like a true diva, party hard while you still can.
For Bujy It’s different as he won’t be buying any gifts for his mother but giving her money rather as he does not know what he should buy.

A lot of gifts are shared and for some people it’s just not necessary due to personal circumstances.

Xoli and her mother don’t really share gifts so there won’t be any of those. However; she would love to get a new cellphone for Christmas. Amstel would love to receive a bible as a gift.
Candice Nkosi would have loved to buy something for his brother but due to financial constraints he cannot.
Marven on the other hand will be getting his mom a handbag. Mzamo will be cooking a storm for the family and that’s his gift for Christmas to them.

Believe you me, there is always a lot of food on Christmas Day. It’s so exciting, people eat from morning till evening. Especially with so many lunch invitations.

Lesiba is having a Christmas lunch at a friend’s house.

TK’ Khumalo, BB Section Umlazi township,
Durban, 2012
Photo by Zanele Muholi

TK Khumalo is spending the whole day at home helping his aunt prepare the Christmas meal.
As much as he would have loved to go to Church, he can’t because it will be closed.

Bujy wants to have a Sunday meal that includes Chicken curry.

The newly-wed couple Promise & Gift are promising nothing but a storm in the kitchen for Christmas. Then jet off to Cape Town, to enjoy their honeymoon which includes a visit to Robben Island.

Tumi Ndweni will also be baking a chocolate cake amongst other cakes the night before.
There will be a lot of Chicken too for Christmas lunch, I admire butch lesbians who know how to cook, such an inspiration.

Over the top menus are prepared from Chicken ala king, Chicken kebabs, Pasta etc.
People are bound to put on weight, I watch the space!

Previous by Yaya

2013 Dec. 22: Promise(d) Gift

by Nomfundo Mgabadeli

The Wits Arts Museum and the Stevenson Gallery in Johannesburg played host to one of the most talented, hard-working, passionate visual artist activist of today, Zanele Muholi.
Muholi unveiled her latest offering, titled “Of Love and Loss” on the 14th February along with her 2013 Prince Clause Award ceremony.

ZaVa I. Paris, 2013

The evening commenced at the Wits Arts Museum, with a selection of works by Zanele Muholi being exhibited in her honour. She was the evening’s recipient of the 2013 Prince Claus Award, which is given to eleven highly acclaimed individuals from different countries who show a resilient aptitude towards culture and development in their relevant fields, and not only excelling but shedding light on issues they hold most dear.
In the case of Muholi, she shone the spotlight on the persecution of the black Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, especially in township areas where attacks are as common as commuting a taxi. Her works ring more true in the current state of LGBT rights crisis across Africa.

Changing vows.
Ayanda & Nhlanhla Moremi’s wedding. Kwanele Park, Katlehong, 9 November 2013

After the award ceremony patrons gathered and made their way to the Stevenson Gallery, where the official launch “Of Love and Loss” took place. As you entered, the walls were adorned with intimate endearing stills of Muholi and her partner, which immediately set the “love” tone of the exhibition. But as you walked out of that sort of whimsical space, you were taken aback by a glass coffin placed on the floor juxtaposed with a black lesbian wedding playing in the background.
The installation drew even more attention when Muholi herself, stripped down and laid nude in the coffin, surrounded by red rose petals.

Muholi in a custom made coffin.
Photo by Bongi ‘Thekwane’ Mphisholo (2014/02/14)

The third space was again adorned with stills of black same sex marriages which illustrated that same sex weddings can be just as magical and special than a heterosexual wedding. You were then quickly brought back to the pain endured by black LGBTs and it leaves quite a morose feeling within.

Muholi’s body of work reveals a tug of war between “Of Love and Loss” and it depends on an individual’s perspective on what they take from the exhibition. Like her previous works, the pieces bring great awareness to the plight of black LGBT people. She has solidified herself as a catalyst for change in the LGBT community. The exhibition runs up until the 4th April 2014.

Ayanda Moremi on her wedding day. Kwanele South, Katlehong, 9 November 2013

Duduzile Zozo’s Funeral. Thokoza, July 2013

About the author

Nomfundo Mgabadeli  is a recent Bachelor’s Degree graduate in Journalism and a prospective student for the Master’s program.
Nomfundo has an aptitude and a great love for writing.
She is a self-confessed liberal feminist and a firm believer in equality across the board. She has no interest in furthering stereotypical, prejudicial, harmful agendas on and off the record.

In her research she has particular interest in youth, as she believes young minds have the potential to be the change that our country so desperately needs.
She currently works at Art for Humanity, a non-profit organisation that uses art to advocate human rights and various social issues that plague South Africa.
The organisation also holds art school workshops in different schools across KwaZulu-Natal for which she is a facilitator.

Related links

2014 Feb. 14:  Black South African visual activist lesbian, Zanele Muholi, in a transparent coffin Of Love and Loss”

and

Zanele Muholi: The task of mourning

and

Desire for change unites post-apartheid activism

and

2014 Feb.14: Prince Claus Award ceremony + Of Love and Loss exhibition opening

The task of a writer engaging with the work of artists and activists is an important one.

The critic does not only draw attention to the work of particular people but provides a way for readers and viewers to translate and understand the works they view. What is written about the work of visual activist Zanele Muholi, for instance, can help us to think about questions of race, sexuality, violence and intimacy post-apartheid. On the other hand, a writer responding to her images can compound problematic ways of seeing and thinking and can, even if unwittingly, reinforce homophobic views. This is unfortunately the case in art critic Mary Corrigall’s review of Muholi’s latest exhibitions in Johannesburg published in the Sunday Independent on the 2^nd of March 2014.

In a tone strangely reminiscent of a conservative right-winger in the United States, Corrigall argues that the art world has provided Muholi with a place for “her” (quotation marks in the original) community because the art world “has always been a gay-friendly if not gay-dominated one”. In this way the review elides the fact that black women artists, let alone black lesbian artists, number few in our context. At the same time it fails to consider the psychic toll and physical risks involved in being South Africa’s most visible queer activist in a context of extreme homophobia and violence. Corrigall also questions whether Muholi’s activism extends beyond the art-world. This betrays her ignorance of the organization Muholi founded, Inkanyiso, as well as what Muholi’s work has meant for queer activists both here and abroad.

The review focuses on “Of Love and Loss”, a series of photographs that record and celebrate queer weddings and that document the funerals of lesbians who have been raped and killed. These two kinds of ceremonies are important social rituals for queer communities and are both private spaces of joy and of grief as well as political spaces that show how far we have come and how far we have to go before there is justice for all in our country. Corrigall also mentions Muholi’s current show with Gabrielle Le Roux at the Wits Art Museum, “Queer and Trans Art-iculations: collaborative art for social change”. Corrigall argues that the uniformity of Muholi’s treatment of those she photographs in her “Faces and Phases” series reduces the space for the expression of individuality. My own reading of Muholi’s work is that something much more complex is at work in this extensive portrait series. “Faces and Phases” mobilises the conventions of memorial portrait photography to open a space for mourning and at the same time queers that space by juxtaposing images of the dead with multiple portraits of living queer subjects.

Corrigall insists that Muholi’s desire is to “normalize” homosexuality. It is important to point out here that homosexuality is not abnormal and therefore does not require normalization. It is should also be noted that while Muholi claims a place for queer subjects within the dominant order this is not to say that her photographs normalize people and practices considered by some as deviant. On the contrary, what her work aims to do is to refuse the bounds of the so-called normal, by not simply expanding but by exploding such limits.

There is a growing body of scholarly writing about Muholi’s work by academics in South Africa like Desiree Lewis, Pumla Gqola, Zethu Matebeni and myself, and by people like Andrew van der Vlies, Brenna Munro and Henriette Gunkel in the UK, the US and Europe.
Corrigall would have done well to have read some of this work or spoken to some of the writers. It also would have helped had she spoken with the artist or read some of Muholi’s insightful reflections on her own work.

As it stands Corrigall’s piece displays an astonishing lack of consciousness about the politics of race and representation as well as of the intersections between compulsory heterosexuality and sexual violence as experienced by women in South Africa, queer-identified or not, and by men who do not perform heterosexist normativity. She critiques Muholi, whose life’s work is to portray black queer experience after the end of apartheid, and black lesbian experience in particular, for not documenting the lives of white lesbian women. She goes on to write, “Similarly, what of all the heterosexual women in this country who are raped and murdered because they don’t conform to conventional or traditional ideas about women imposed on them? Or is this too everyday a subject?
Who Muholi photographs doesn’t only determine who turns up on opening night, but exposes who is in, or out.” Violence visited upon heterosexual women is bound to the violence queer people experience in South Africa. Addressing homophobia is at the same time to address heteronormative patriarchy.

What are the connections between the murder of Anene Booysens who was raped and disemboweled in the Western Cape in 2013 and the murder of Duduzile Zozo who was raped and killed, her body found with a toilet brush inserted into her vagina in Gauteng in 2013?
Was Anene straight or queer?
Was Duduzile a mother?
Why does this matter?
It matters only in as much as certain people are marked for death as a result of their choices about who to love; about what they wear; about how they choose to think and about whether and with whom they choose to have children. Should all acts of rape be understood as hate crimes?
Are white women subject to the same kinds of violence as that experienced by black women in South Africa?
These are important questions that Muholi’s work opens up and that the series of rhetorical questions that Corrigall’s review poses, but makes no attempt to answer, shuts down.

Corrigall’s closing line, in which she writes that Muholi’s choice of participants for her portrait work “exposes who is in, or out” implies that Muholi’s work has aestheticized lesbian rape and has made of homophobic violence a kind of fashionable topic. This is offensive on many levels and makes clear that Corrigall fails to grasp the political force of Muholi’s work and overlooks the artist’s personal position in relation to this subject. Not every review of Muholi’s photographs can or should necessarily serve to amplify the message of her work. However, when you consider that her message is that all people, queer or not, have a right to a place in this world then you have to ask what it means to write against this. When the then Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana walked out of the Innovative Women exhibition in 2009 she left, not, as Corrigall claims, because she thought the works she saw there were pornographic. She left because she claimed the photographs on display were “immoral, offensive” and “went against nation-building”. This kind of statement from those who hold power in our country and who determine who is afforded a place in the nation- state is in fact, what, to quote Corrigall, “exposes who is in, or out”.

Kylie Thomas

14 March 2014

kyliethomas.south@gmail.com

This piece was written in response to Mary Corrigall’s review of Zanele Muholi’s work,
“Sense of Belonging” published in the Sunday Independent, 2 March 2014.

About the author

Kylie Thomas lives in Cape Town where she teaches and writes about the history and representation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic; violence during and after apartheid; and about photography and visual activism.

Related articles on “Of Love and Loss” exhibition

The Constitution of Love and Loss

and

Zanele Muholi’s new work mourns and celebrates South African queer lives

and

Spreading hate in the name of God

My name is Abongile Matyila.
Abongile is a Xhosa name which means to be grateful. My uncle gave me that name.
I’m a 22 year old Bachelor of Arts (BA) student studying at the University of Fort Hare, East London in the Eastern Cape.

Born in Mdantsane, the second biggest township in South Africa, I was raised with three younger siblings and brought up by both my parents. Due to socio-economic pressures to find a good qualification, I entered my first year of university as an Accounting student, but subsequently developed an interest in the fields of Sociology and Philosophy which are his current courses of study. My love for these subjects offered me a platform to explore much of my own identity in relation to the world around me.
Growing up as a person with an ambiguous sexuality fuelled my interest towards understanding the complexities of sexuality, gender expression and the act of sex itself. I was afforded the opportunity to present on the topic of sexuality in a philosophy colloquium at the University of Fort Hare. I assisted in coordinating a student LGBTI group at the university in 2011 and proceeded to join the Eastern Cape Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex organisation, of which is currently appointed as the Provincial Organiser.

Apart from being politically active in the field of LGBTI rights in the Eastern Cape, I have always had a burning passion for the performing arts. I was considered a stellar jazz soloist in high school, and participated in various local theatre productions during my teen years.  Later on danced in a performing group called Creative Pulse which offered a platform for LGBTI artists.  It is where I found freedom to express myself as a performer whilst interacting with like-minded artists. As much as I loved performing, although my love for the arts has always defined the person I am.
I felt that need to ground and identify myself in my hometown where a change of perceptions towards LGBTI people – cultural and religious – was needed.

As an individual, my desire has always been to champion one’s sole expression, regardless of whom or where they are. Being a gender non-conforming black person meant I had to mediate between my gender expression, sexuality and cultural values, which might not have been aligned under ‘usual’ circumstances. Having to find a common ground between these components encouraged me to find myself, and thus live an assertive life full of expression and liberty.

I wish to see myself walking on the ramps of Paris Fashion week. I want to be in a big stage production or as a well-recognised activist, a proof that every individual is unique and has as much a right to a full life as any. Everyone should be treated with respect, as we are all human beings, and afforded the liberty to live their lives as they see fit; a life free from pressure to conform, inequality and prejudice.

Understanding and embracing one’s individuality is key to accepting who one is, which creates room to live your life to the fullest. The act of being yourself is indeed the best person you can ever be.

ABONGILE MATYILA Scenery Park, AMALINDA. East London. (2012)                                                          Photo by Zanele Muholi.

I found myself at 22

Seems like I’ve been walking aimlessly
Dodging bullets of hate and vile perceptions
What are you, where do you come from?
Am I not supposed to be here?

The life I had come to know
Did not recognise who I was
Not my love, nor my face
Nor my need to breathe the same air
The hard cold of its back offering thick clouds of judgment
I don’t know who I am anymore.

I lost the warmth of the sun in my sleep
The feel of the morning dew on my feet
I forgot the smell of the waking world at dawn
The mornings filled with joy,
days filled with happiness

But this is not my home

There is no place for me here.

I catch a glimpse of a photograph
A spot of distant hope in my eyes
A hope of dancing at the Theatre
And walking the streets of Paris close to midnight
The rain misty
and soft
against my smile, warmed by a content heart
This air is filled with crisp dreams
And a life full of worth for the living!

But where is this life?
If I this one is not mine to live,
In my own way?
How is it that you impose your thoughts about my body,
As if repainting an old wall worthless to the space it occupies?

Man, what has my love for another spoken to you
That encourages you to crush my dreams
and devalue my self worth?

Tell me
I need to breath; a space to be visible
To be loved

I need a place I can call home.

Title:  Intombi I

… in collaboration with Valerie Thomas, Paris (2014)

More photos from this series to be included sooner…
Special Thanks for Cite Des Arts in Paris and French Institute.

Merci beaucoup!

by Sfiso ‘Candice’ Nkosi

It is Thurs. 26th June 2014, my friend, Precious Maqojana and I left for Durban Pride from Johannesburg Park Station at 22:00. We stopped in Montrose for some refreshments and a bathroom break. I was starting to get anxious because the only thing on my mind was “which toilet will I use?”
I was afraid of the crowd and people who don’t understand queer society; Its hard to be queer because you do not really get to express nor live your life freely like a bird. I must be in makeup, dresses and/or stilettos, to use female public toilets. When I’m just my natural self with no makeup and weaves, I raise eyebrows..

I did not take advantage of my bathroom break and eventually we safely arrived in Durban and checked in at Hilton Lodge. We immediately took a nap as we were so tired from the long trip.

After resting, we updated our pages and Facebooked our friends and fans that were in Durban. It was like we were having a show! People came out in numbers to meet us at our hotel. It was awesome meeting new people.. One of our close friends and sister Le Sishi, showed up and she was also staying at the same place. It was a priceless moment to see each other again.

Beauties in Durban. Stephanie, Candice… Le Sishi in a gold dress and Precious

I went out for clubbing the night before Pride, just to get the feel of the place and socialize. I went to Club 101 of which was close by to our lodging place. It’s a club of mixed genders and sexualities, very welcoming and queer friendly. I met few friends and quickly left to sleep because I needed some rest to revive my energy for Pride.

Precious and I took a bath and had breakfast. Pride started at 10:00 but we didn’t arrive on time. We Queens dear, makeup, dress codes have to be on point. After everything we took a cab to Durban Pride. Just when we arrived we caused a scene and everyone wanted a picture with us. But we were surprised to see such a small number people at Pride. I don’t know if it was organised by different people from last year because in 2013 was epic and very full.

We took lots of pictures, the music was good and we danced our butts off. We met new queer people from trans to lesbians and gays. Around 20:00 people started to show up in numbers and we got confused on why at this time?
For so many reasons – Asazi!
We left to prepare for the after party and dress warmly since it was too cold and the sea breeze was so not friendly.

For the night, we first went to Club Adixions, a queer club owned by a black lesbian woman. It was packed and very hot, there were fans (air conditioners) but they were not working.
I wondered why because people could pass out due to the unbearable heat. The DJ was so bad and kept on repeating the same songs over and over again. We decided to leave the club and go to Club 101 lapho zikhipha khona (where it was much more fun). We felt that we having fun as Durbanites are so friendly, I must say.

I used to hear people saying that some Durbanites are homophobic but we didn’t experience that as all we were getting were compliments of how beautiful we were. Others were asking for numbers and we then partied hard !!!
I met a young transman who is a soccer player who stays in Durban. His name Njabulo Nothando Xulu and he works for Ukhozi FM.

Njabulo and his friends treated us like Queens and that was too exciting. They made sure we were comfortable and safe.I started having the bathroom anxiety again. Maybe queer toilets should now be implemented. I went to a female’s toilet and when I got there some black woman jumped from the base and said “no!!!
This is a females toilets eyamadoda ingale!!!”
I didn’t want drama so I left the club and went to the lodge to use the toilet. I don’t know why I have to encounter issues about the toilets.

L-R: Stephanie, Precious and Candice at Durban South beach

On the following day we left for the beach. I could not be in Durban and not go to the beach as that would be a crime. Firstly we went to Shaka Marine, had lunch and took pictures around and finished our day at the beach. It was awesome I tell you.

The welcomes were heart warming but the goodbyes were emotional especially for me. Thinking that I was going back to Johannesburg, the city of depression and frustration made me cry. I seriously didn’t want to go back home but then I had no choice but to leave with hope that I will come back and see those special people I met who made me feel human and special again. Being in Durban was an inexplicable experience; the love, the comfort, the freedom, the positive energy, the laughter, smiles and joy, which I cherish most in my life.

All thanks to my photographer, mentor and person whom I say I call my family Zanele Muholi for giving us the opportunity to revive our spirit of hope, not forgetting his brother Sbonelo Muholi for being so kind and supportive to our trip. I am honorably blessed and thankful to God.

Candice centered by Le and Mini at Durban South Beach in Dec. 2013

Related link

2014 July 10: My remarkable Durban Pride experience

Five months later…

by Yaya Mavundla

How often does a black transwoman from the rural areas get to meet Victoria Beckham in person; have breakfast in the same restaurant with Carlos Santana, fly around Cape Town in a helicopter? Honestly chances are zero, or so you might think. It came true for me.

Every time I thought of Cape Town I just thought of how expensive everything is said to be, definitely not a city I ever thought I would enjoy spending the whole week at.

On 26 February 2014, Zanele Muholi, Valerie Thomas and I, travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town for Design Indaba where Zanele Muholi was one of the speakers for State of the Art.
When we arrived at the airport at about 13:10 the driver from @designindaba was already waiting with a sign written ‘Zanele Muholi’ as instructed by Cherize Ross, the project manager of the event.

Panelists:  L- R: Athi Patra Ruga, Zanele Muholi, Nandi Mntambo &  (Moderator) Hans Ulrich.

In my mind I thought we were getting into a shuttle but to my surprise, it was the new Mini Cooper. I was beyond words! Almost every girl would love to be driven around in the new Mini around the Green City of Cape Town.

I knew we were going to an upmarket hotel, Mount Nelson, but I didn’t realise its historical significance. The luxury was on another level and, the people you meet there are people of a certain standing in society.

While at the reception waiting for our room allocation, the Victoria Beckham came in like boom!
I mean it’s a different experience having to be in the VIP area at an Elton John concert and be in the same reception area with such a global icon. Goose bumps are what you get when such happens.

Our room was still being prepared for us to move in and after four hours of waiting for our room allocation, we moved in. This was definitely something that we were not anticipating and perhaps left a bitter taste in our mouths. All I can say is incompetence!

Apart from that, and I say that lightly, everything else was superb. The linen was definitely the most comfortable linen I’ve ever slept in. It was so luxurious that I couldn’t wait to take a nap to feel the softness rubbing against my skin. My skin was actually written happiness all over when I woke up.

After we had settled in and had time to freshen up, we got ready for dinner and Muholi suggested we go to V&A Waterfront. We opted to take a walk which was about 35min although it did not feel anything like it at all. I certainly enjoyed the crisp air and the exercise. Valery wanted to eat Oysters, which I later tried and decided against.

We finally found a restaurant which served sea food. Unfortunately, or fortunately – depending on who you are – we had to dine outside as it was full inside. It was cold, as the restaurant we chose was right next to the harbour. After we ordered our drinks and food, they were able to create a very small table for three, right next to the door inside and they went ahead and fussed over us.

After a great dinner we had, we decided to go back to the hotel and rest as the week ahead was going to be hectic. Everything seemed as if we were going have a great experience and that’s what exactly happened.

Photos by Lindeka Qampi & Zanele Muholi

To be continued…

To interact with me please follow me on twitter and Instagram
@YayaRSA

or

@MuholiZanele.

You can also like our Facebook page Inkanyiso.

My reflection on our 2012 Paris trip that we, Thokozani Football Club (TFC) had.

It all started at the Thokozani football club that I joined voluntarily in 2008, hence I’m proud of myself for making such a good decision.

Firstly I would like to convey my gratitude to Cecile Chatrain, Veronica Noseda (who initiated the plan for us to be in Paris) and their generous connected to Zanele Muholi who is friends with them. I cannot forget TFC manager, Lizzy Muholi because without their dedication to our team we wouldn’t be able to fulfil the dream of going to Paris. Most importantly and not forgetting, the Equipe Les Degommeuses for their potential support that they’ve given us.
I have played soccer several teams and I have been rewarded with lot of certificates of appreciation, medals and trophies but with Thokozani I have found love, support and a home.
In 2012 we went to Paris to play against the Equipe Les Degommeuses. That tour to Ile-de France will never fade away in our thoughts, it has been permanently emblazoned on our subconscious minds believe me. It was the best feeling and every homosexual would die to have a chance to experience it.

Days were moving pretty fast, the warmth and love that we were receiving in every workshop or the meeting with the youth from France at the Cybercrips was outstanding”

We have carried the spirit of Thokozani Qwabe whom will always be loved and missed. She is a legend to be remembered for being true to her sexual orientation and for “coming out” as a female homosexual hence she was brutally killed for that. Living your life by being out about your sexual orientation doesn’t mean that you need to be redefined by someone. We don’t need to be “defined” we know who we are and we are happy we need no conversional methods to cure us because this is not a disease, we are not sick and not confused.

At the arrival in Paris round about 10 am, that moment of putting your foot in another country, with different atmospheric pressure and different settings, is an extra ordinary feeling. Thank you for the warm welcome at the Charles De Gaulle airport.

Days were moving pretty fast, the warmth and love that we were receiving in every workshop or the meeting with the youth from France at the Cybercrips was outstanding”

On our first day, we went to a music festival, Solidays, which was against human immunodeficiency virus/acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). There were many games which were conveying health education messages on how to prevent HIV/AIDS, which was the purpose of the festival. When I looked at my watch it was 20:25 and it was still hot because the sun was still up. I was thinking that back at home, everybody was tired from the long day, relaxing inside their homes and watching Generations, and that the sun had set.

Days were moving pretty fast, the warmth and love that we were receiving in every workshop or the meeting with the youth from France was outstanding. I have never felt such a thing in South Africa.
The screening of the documentary, Difficult Love (2010) and ensuring debate with the French citizens was highly noted and appreciated by the TFC team.

Thembela with TFC members in Paris, June 2012.
Photo by Laurence Prat

Nompilo and Thembela ‘Terra’ 

During the game at Parc de Prins stadium in Paris, 2012.
Thanks to Foot for Love organisers

Thank you for the support. I wouldn’t forget the free tour guide visit to the Eiffel Tower,  the Louvre Museum, and the park where the body of Sarah Baartman’s body was confined and on show for public before her body was repatriated to its rightful resting place.

I watched UEFA champions league and I see Paris Saint-German football club (PSG) playing at the “Parc des Princes” (Le Parc) stadium all the time but I never knew that I would be given a chance to play in the stadium for 90 minutes. I just smile and my heart jumps each time I think of it. I always make sure that everybody gets to know that I played at that stadium.

A big thank you goes to all Equipe Degommeuses, Laurence Prat, Paris based photographer who took our beautiful photographs during and after the match.
I cannot forget Lesbiennes of Color (LOCs); the Family Planning in Paris, where the TFC stayed overnight;  the Lesbiennes of colors, who organized the lesbian festival on Friday and Mimi (owner of Rosa Bonheur) and the team, who organized the party at the bar in the Park..
Violette & Co library that hosted Muholi’s talk, the Région Ile-de-France, the Crips Ile-de-France, the City of Paris and everybody who made our visit to Paris, France successful.

Last but not least, Paris Pride was well organised and it really symbolised the acceptance and support from heterosexuals to homosexuals. I was quite surprised by the number of people who attended the march. That was nice and I already miss walking down the streets of Paris because I have never been so free and so not worried about discrimination, biphobia and homophobia. I love Paris, infact I love Parisians.

Please don’t forget us. We, at TFC will never forget you.
Love

Nokulunga ‘Luh’ Cele

Related links

2013 June 6: Reviving the spirit of Thokozani

My name is Katiso Kgope, and I was born on September 18, in 1995.
I was born in Glen Wood hospital, Benoni my parents are Mandla Kgope and the late Mpho Kgope – Monyake.

I was given the name of Katiso by my mother, which originates from the Setswana term Goatisa which means Addition, basically an addition to our big family.

I speak English, iSiZulu and Setswana fluently.

From a very young age, mentally my mind was feminine. I did not know why at the time as I was still very young and did not have a clear understanding of the mental state I was in.

But for some reason I had always been attracted to all the things girls would be attracted to and wanted nothing to do with what boys would be attracted to.
I was told that when I was still a child, every morning when my mother got ready for work, I would always be in her bedroom playing with all her things such as her makeup, her jewellery, especially her shoes, I was in love with her shoes.

My father would take me and lock me up in the car when my mother got ready for work in a sense that they were hoping the longer I stayed away, the better chances of me losing interest in such things and little did they know that, that was just the tip of the ice berg.

I did not know what being trans meant when I was a child, I didn’t understand what I was doing but for some reason it felt normal to me.

I am a beautiful trans woman, and I strongly believe that we all come from God, and that perhaps sometimes He makes mistakes because I feel my original body parts were given to the wrong individual.

I consider myself to be a cordial person, as I have been told. I am a very friendly and a social butterfly and there is nothing I enjoy more than meeting new people, especially those who are just like me, because I find the different types of life stories of other trans women very fascinating.

I feel that just making new friends with other transwomen will be just a beautiful experience.
I also entered 2 pageants, I lost the title of Miss Gay Daveyton and the second pageant I entered I won Miss Valentine’s Second Princess along side Miss T as the third and first Princess and Cuteness as the Queen.

I wish to have a sex change when my financial situation allows me to. There is nothing that would make me happier than to be an actual woman.

To be honest I love how I look, but like anyone else, there are just a few things I would like to change; such as my smile, my narrow hips and my flat chest as well as getting a female organ. That would be the cherry on top.

I would have loved to be able to physically give birth but sadly we all know that will not happen.

My grandmother whom I lived with in a township called Daveyton, passed away on June 21.

My mother died when I was three years old and my father looked after me until I finished high school. My father has not fully accepted the fact that I am trans, and I highly doubt he ever will.

His hatred of my sexual preference has resulted in a huge rift in our relationship in such a way that, we hardly ever speak.
The only time we communicate is when school is involved; otherwise we have nothing to talk about. Basically there is no father-child relationship.

Its even worse that he has a new wife and a new baby girl, which gave my dad room to make excuses to not support me financially where school is not involved, but I love my baby sister anyway.

I attended a primary school called Lee Rand Primary School until grade 5 when I had to change to Pine Grove Primary School where I finished junior school.

I had to move to the different primary schools because the first school didn’t treat me well due to my sexuality. I then went to Springs Technical High school, and matriculated in 2013.
I did not study further than High School.

I have always dreamed of being a model, but everything I have tried to do has failed because my father was not supportive.

My first dream was to become an actor, I was hoping that I was going to attend the National School of the Arts but my dad said it was too expensive, so that failed like my modelling.

I then decided that I want to study fashion at any fashion college, and I heard the same excuse I have been hearing from him for any school I wanted, “that is too expensive, I cant afford”.
I had gotten so sick of that line so much that I decided to resort to my plan C, which was to attend a government college in Benoni called Benoni Ekurhuleni College.

When I applied it was full, so I had to settle for Springs Ekurhuleni College. I decided to study something that would please my father as he was willing to pay for something that was more on the “practical side”.

I am currently studying towards a Diploma in Marketing at Springs Ekurhuleni College. I wish to further my studies after receiving my diploma in marketing and studying what I have always wanted; fashion.

I have always had a dream of becoming a trans super model because I feel that so far the world is yet to see a transsexual woman take the title.

What I fail to understand is why trans women are never in adverts in South African magazines, as well as TV series and in movies.

Since no one had the courage to do so that is all about to change. I plan to be the first transsexual super model to make it big in the world and make a name for myself and most importantly to represent for all trans women that did not get a chance to let the world know who we are and what we stand for.

The world needs to learn that the LGBT community consists of human beings and we also have dreams and its time that all changed.

I wish to travel to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, London, Belgium and Greece to do things such as photo shoots, fashion shows, exhibitions and any kind of event.

I want to do a photo shoot in the Arc de Triomph, Eiffel Tower and in the neo-classic Haussmannian boulevards plus. Have a shoot in the beautiful Central Park in New York, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Times Square and most importantly in Hollywood, and the Hollywood walk of fame, the Myrtos Beach, Mykonos, and Santorini.

I wish to get the chance to meet famous idols such as Bonang Matheba, Somizi Mhlongo, Khanyi Mbau, Dineo Ranaka, and other international fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs, Stella MCcartney.

I would also like to meet Rupaul of Rupaul’s Drag Race, a famous tv series of drag queens and trans women, competing to see who is the best of the best.

At the forefront of our struggle, at this time of sadness… Activists from Gay Umbrella leading the way to the sport grounds before the Memorial service of Disebo Gift Makau...

Angry community members demanding justice for Disebo…

On the right is Mr P.de Wit from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) waiting for the memorandum to be signed.

Jabu Perreira, director of Iranti-Org aiming for the best shot of the marchers.

Salute comrades…

Ayihlale phansi ibambe umthetho

Member of the Gay Umbrella in Mafikeng at the forefront of the march entering the sport grounds.

Sekwanele manje is a Zulu expression which means ‘Enough is enough…”

Malusi John Tau in a white t-shirt (centred) by fellow comrades leading the march to the Ventersdorp Police Station

Fed up community members holding placards with strong messages…

Mildred Maropefele, head of Gay Umbrella organisation in Mafikeng…

Even policemen can be documenters…

Councillor Mapule Mataboge signing the memorandum before it was handed over to the NPA representative
… with Thabiso from Gay Umbrella.

 Col. H. Vermeulen in charge of the march…

After the march the protesters proceeded to the Makau home where the prayer meeting was held…

Photos by Lindeka Qampi
Text by Odidi Mfenyana

A month  before in the same Centre for the Book, almost in the exact same spot as Zanele Muholi sat on Wednesday 20 August 2014 for the Debate on Homosexuality in Africa hosted by Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR), stood the legendary Angela Davis.
Discussing the evolution of racism Angela Davis asked us to no longer be surprised by incidents of racism. Davis asked us to work steadfastly and comprehensively towards a non-racist society, knowing that racism exists n permeates our everyday existence.

Zanele Muholi a month later stood at the same place drawing attention to South Africa’s most fashionable hate crime of the moment “Corrective Rape”.

Not wanting to be drawn into an academic talk shop about the origins of African homosexuality, Muholi went for the jugular reality.

Zanele named all the high profile hate crimes since 2003 starting with the horrific mass murder at Sizzlers in Sea Point and ending with the recent gruesome rape and murder of Gift Makau in Ventersdorp.

No sooner had the “debate” come to its flaccid end when Muholi had my manager book me on the first flight to Jozi to join her covering the Memorial Service in Ventersdorp. It was time to roll up my sleeves n get stuck in.
Meeting at the boarding gate Thursday morning at 6am we landed n Muholi’s driver took us straight to Ventersdorp.

Ventersdorp already synonymous with racist White Supremacy n blighted by the legend of Eugene Terreblanche, now added the death of Disebo Gift Makau to its gothic accolades.

When we arrived at lunchtime Thursday, to my surprise a full media circus had rolled into town with the ruling party in full force of condemnation n indignation. ANC t-shirts were on almost every citizen. A new civil organisation under the Gay Umbrella was formed. A suspect had been apprehended. A union of Mothers of previously raped and murdered lesbians had come from Gauteng to lend support. Even CNN had come round for interviews.

The memorial service was more than well organised it was typical overreaction. Instead if homophobia, misogyny and poverty had been positively proactively been challenged, if previous cases had been properly investigated and successfully prosecuted we would not have been standing at another Memorial of a raped and murdered young woman in Women’s Month.

Again the LGBT community had to force its way onto the service’s programme after it seemed it was about to turn into an election rally.
“We want action! why must we still fight for rights”
Was the call from fellow women n lesbians
“we are tired of condemnation we want proactive action”

In Tshing, Ext. 2, Ventersdorp, people have grown tired of looking back in anger. People want a change for the better living the rights of our Constitution.

With that said it is time that Black Queer Artists take a stand and denounce the ongoing hate crimes in our townships. We need to produce work that focus mainly on these atrocities. We can’t rely on governmental mandates and foreign sympathy because it is WE (LGBTI community) who are being brutalized and murdered on daily basis.

Related article

2014 Aug. 19: Makau family mourns the brutal murder of their beloved

and

From Media24

Woman killed for being a lesbian – report

Text by Lerato Dumse
Photos by Lindeka Qampi

When the casket carrying the body of Disebo Gift Makau (23), was lowered six feet underground at a Ventersdorp cemetery, in the North West, on August 23.

Queer mourners franked the coffin of Disebo during the funeral service…          and burst into song

Family and friends who gathered in Tshing township to bid her goodbye, could not contain their emotions.
While some wailed uncontrollably, others shed their tears in silence, with pain, sorrow and sadness written on their faces.

Gift’s body was discovered in the middle of Women’s month, on August 15 by her neighbor in the yard where she was killed.

Speaking to mourners at the funeral, a relative Assah Molapo explained how he arrived on the scene to find Gift’s half naked and lifeless body, with a few other people gathered.

He narrated how the wire used while strangling Gift had punctured her skin and was still lodged inside her neck.
Adding that about 20cm of hose pipe was inserted in her mouth, tied with a shoe lace and left with water running inside her body.

A manhunt began leading to the suspect’s arrest days later.
Molapo said it was tracing Gift’s last steps that helped them to narrow down the suspect list.

Molapo revealed when the suspect’s mother realised her son was a suspect, she launched an investigation of her own in her house.

Leading to the discovery of a cell phone she didn’t recognize, which she handed over, and it was identified as belonging to Gift.
While the letter he (suspect) sent, after writing it to his mom while in jail, is expected to also be used in prosecuting him.

  
Now the man whom Gift considered to be a close friend, having grown up playing together in the same community is facing a rape and murder charge.

While Gift was due to have collected her diploma certificate in Business Management on the day her body was discovered.

What is also disheartening for Molapo when describing the scene, is the state of the grass and flowers which he said is an indication of the physical struggle that went on for a long time that fateful evening.

He said people’s failure to act by going to see what was happening or call the police when they heard Gift’s screams. He is inconsolable with the claim that people who were 5 meters away heard nothing, while those 70 meters away heard her cries.

Ward councilor, Mapule Mataboge was at the forefront in the uproar and condemnation for Gift’s murder. She said she has always had a close relationship with LGBTI people in her community who come to her for assistance when facing family problems and even relationship problems.

She remembered Gift as a child, always smiling and polite, even when she was being reprimanded.
Mataboge appealed to parents of LGBTI children to change their stereotypes, discrimination and calling their own children names.

Freddy Dunjane SAFA chairperson for the competition committee in Ventersdorp said Gift was the first female referee in Ventersdorp.

Gift played defense for her team Real Mighty Ladies, and was affectionately known as Owen by her teammates.

While Thabang Mangane president of the SRC at Vuselela FET said they would be marching to court to show support for Gift and ensure the suspect doesn’t get bail.
“Gays and lesbians are from our families, we must eat and laugh with them, not murder them,” added Mangane.

Related links

2014 Aug. 22: Photos from Disebo Gift Makau’s memorial service

and

2014 Aug. 19: Makau family mourns the brutal murder of their beloved

Aurora High School girls are challenging the male dominated industry by taking extra photography lessons. These Grade 10 and 12 learners from impoverished communities want to become photographers so that they can document their own stories.

The visual pilot project for high school youth began in February 2014 is made possible by four facilitators: Linda Mankazana, Valerie Thomas, Lindeka Qampi and Zanele Muholi who are all experts in various fields.
Muholi introduced photography at the school to empower a girl child. They said it is important for a girl child to have access to photography to pave a way for other girls.  It started in February 2014.

L-R: Thando & Kamo…

Noluthando Khumalo – Grade 9

I stay in Zola and I’m doing Grade 9. I didn’t know anything about photography before Zanele and Lindeka came to introduce it here at my school.

I always see men as photographers not women and I thought it’s for them only. I never even thought of doing it or at least holding a camera with my hands.
I didn’t know that girls can become photographers. My first time holding a camera was here at school with Lindeka and I was excited and shaking. It was such a nerve wrecking experience to hold it but I did manage. I was holding it in a wrong way and I didn’t know what to do.  My first photo was about goats, water, a dumping site too.

It was not good but Lindeka helped me to make it right.

I would like to continue with photography, I want to shoot soccer games, fashion and orphans. I want to tell my my people about what’s happening in their community. I don’t have a mother only my dad sometimes it’s difficult not to have a mother. I want to tell orphans’ stories because I know how is like not to have parents.
Lindeka is like my mom, she motivates me a lot. When you want to give up she tells you not to.
She’s so inspirational.  She has inspired me a lot. It would be bad if she can left us and returned to Cape Town.

Lulama Rikhotso – Grade 10

I’m a Grade 10 learner and I stay in Dobsonville.
Linda Mankazana, one of my teachers, told us that Zanele and Lindeka would come and do photography with us.
I didn’t know anything about photography and  didn’t even care about it. All I wanted to do was to become a fashion designer because I love fashion.
When I see TV personalities  I always get fascinated by their clothes, they always wear nice clothes.

I was so nervous the first time I held a camera. I held it right but I pressed the wrong button. I took my very first picture of my cousin’s clothes and I was excited about it. My challenges are different angles, focus and framing but I’m getting there. I am confident about my camera skills now I can even shoot the Minister of Education.

Mthabiseni Mbhele  – Grade 11

I’m from Braamfischer and I do Business Management and Tourism here at school. I like traveling it keeps one active and it’s important to me.

In my life I’ve never touched a camera it was my first time touching it here school with Lindeka.
Again I never thought of myself becoming a photographer. I took my first photo of … I made some mistakes. It was blurry and I cut others. It was hard to focus and for the second time it was better. Holding it was not a problem because I took a cue from others then I held it in a right way.
Lindeka told me of my mistakes and afterwards I felt happy and confident.  I would want to own a camera one day so that I can always shoot everywhere I go.

Lindeka has taught me a lot, she’s patient, she takes us out to shoot things that we never thought  of shooting. She let us know our communities and stories within it.  People and my friends from my community  never thought that a girl can take photos.

I can combine my photography and tourism because I see that there is a link between the two professions. Tourism is about traveling and when I travel I see places.
I now see photography as very important in my studies.

Tshireletso Mochuise – Grade 11

I got exposed to camera from a young age  because my uncle is a photographer and he has a camera. I used to take care of his camera at home. I never touched his equipment though because he was very sensitive about it.

I didn’t know about photography. I didn’t know about a camera too until Lindeka came to school and taught us about it. She taught us how to shoot, frame a picture, position focus and the importance of taking a photo and how to get a good picture.

At first it was a bit complicated but I manage to do it. One other day we went to shoot outside of the school yard and Lindeka saw grannies playing soccer, she asked us to take a picture. It was interesting photographs because it is rare to find grannies playing football in our townships.

I then started felling in love with it. I love telling stories through photography. At this stage I feel very good about taking pictures also I want to further my studies in Media Studies so that I can become a good and well known photographer. Grabbing this opportunity I want to prove people  wrong. They think girls or women can’t be photographers. I am happy to be with Lindeka…

Elisa Pica – Grade 10

I am from Zone 2 Zondi and I live with my parents. I never had an interest in photography I thought it was for only boys. I never saw a black woman holding a camera or taking pictures. I once saw a white woman taking photographs and I thought it’s for only them until Zanele and Lindeka came to us.

Zanele taught me how to shoot and take videos.

For my first picture I took cows and we’re out in the community shooting with Lindeka. I was shaking and nervous at first. She said it was a nice picture though I didn’t feel happy about it because my zooming and focus were wrong. I didn’t specifically use focus and it was out of focus. On my very first picture I was nervous because I never hold a camera till that day.

I want to continue with photography to show the people that I can do it. I also I like drama, telling stories thus I want o continue with it. I’m so fortunate about this opportunity because I’m the only one at home in my community too. Others didn’t have it and the person to guide them too I understand.

I would like to own a camera one day so that I can continue shooting. I would be happy if my parents can buy me one I can shoot everyday.
I sometimes tell them about this photography I’m doing here at school. Lindeka is a very good person, I learnt a lot from her. Now I can even say I’m a professional photographer.

Nompumelelo Mali – Grade 9

I’m a Grade 9 learner and I come from Zolani North. I like taking pictures. When I was in Grade 7 my parents bought me a phone and I was taking pictures of myself, events and my friends.  I never thought of myself being a photographer or photography can be studied.  At that time I was just taking photos because I was just enjoying it but my friends were so impressed about my photos.

The day Lindeka and Zanele came to school my mind changed and I learnt more about photography. I always wanted to be a journalist I didn’t think that journalism and photography are intertwined until they told us about it.

I didn’t know what to press and I was scared.  I knew nothing about focus.  A camera is completely different from a phone camera because one just press but with photography there’s focus, zooming and angles.

My first photo was a portrait, it was wrong and blurry.  I was very scared, confused and it was very difficult on my first time. I thought it would fell because it was heavy. I pressed the wrong button also I hold it in a wrong way but Lindeka was patient to teach me about it. She then told me what I must do and the way I should do it.

I can take a photo now I can just take a camera and shoot. I feel confident, happy and proud of myself.  As a result I want to continue with photography alone.

I never thought girls can become photographers or either can take photos. I wish I can have my own camera and take photos anytime. Lindeka can show you what’s wrong and she teaches us well.

Kamogelo Petlele – Grade 10

I live in Zola North with my parents and my sibling. I want to become a civil engineer.
I haven’t thought of me being a camera person or holding it or for instance stand behind a camera. It was my first time to hear about photography when Lindeka explained and taught me.

I became more interested in it afterwards.  My first shot was kids playing  in a dam. It was hard at first but I took it. Prior to that I thought photography was only for men. Though I have started late but I’ve managed to catch up. I was not present when Lindeka and Zanele came to do an introduction session.

I learnt that in photography you don’t talk a lot pictures must talk. I am great that I’ve started it at an early age and I wish other girls could have this great opportunity too.

I’m proud of Lindeka, I give her honour. She taught me how to hold a camera, she taught me the right things. God has sent her to teach me.  She takes a lot of time. When she explains something she does it thoroughly. She’s got a good heart with kids.

I’m now confident about a camera because of her. I want to continue with it and combine with civil engineering.  I don’t feel good about the fact that girls don’t know anything about photography and it’s a very big challenge. I would want to teach girls as well kind of giving them some skills. I would want girls to start photography at my age.

Nonhlanhla Maluleka – Grade 11                     

I live with my parents in Zola 3 and at home I’m the only one who got the opportunity. My parents too never got the opportunity. I’m happy to start photography at the early age and young.

I feel so special and good about myself for taking pictures.
My mother supports me a lot.  The first time I was shaking, a camera was heavy.

I took a picture of a gay man who was raped twice, I didn’t believe myself. Lindeka said it’s a good picture. I want to document people everywhere because photography is about traveling. I have taken many photos and I would want to continue with photography. I see myself as a professional artist.

I haven’t seen a woman photographer until I research Zanele Muholi’s name on the internet. I felt so special when I saw her work. Photography is all about men taking pictures and women are not there. There’s a lot of gender stereotyping in photography.

The reason why I do photography I want people to see it not for only men but for everyone.  It’s important for girls to do photography so that they can document their stories.  My friends ask me all the time about photography. They always ask me ‘how did you get it’. They also want to do it.

Before I thought you can only do photography at tertiary. I feel grateful about Lindeka. She’s patient, she can deal with us. I would feel so unhappy if she could leave us and go to Cape Town. She’s always with us she tells us to feel a camera, think about your picture no one should think for you.

Thando Methane seated in front row, far left…

Thando Methane – Grade 12

I live in Mapetla, Soweto with my parents. I learn a lot from photography I found family and friends.  I’m much more close to Lindeka. I didn’t know how to take a picture before Lindeka and Zanele came to our school. It was interesting.
I never thought of photography until Lindeka did her presentation.  Lindeka gave us photography basics she told us about a view finder, hold your camera ,  put a camera around your neck and arm.  She also told us about different angles and sides as well. It made a lot of confusion when I heard about them for the first time.

I want to study Journalism and I only thought about it not photography. When Zanele started the training with us I then thought of combining journalism and photography. I never thought journalism also needs photography.

My interest is to document women’s stories, our own history, linking apartheid with what’s happening in people’s lives. People need to understand that black people are still poor.

Lindeka asked us to take pictures of each other and it was great to see that person’s reflection. I felt proud and I asked myself whether I was able to do it. That process was revealing new Thando in me.

My uncle is a photographer he just takes them to make ends meet.
He never inspired me. I wanted to get an inspiration.

I would be happy if I can have a camera to see myself as a photographer.

When I researched Zanele  on the internet, I was like ‘damn this woman’.
I got inspired by Lindeka.  Now I am confident because of her. She really played a role in me. She is my mom, she’s very supportive, cares a lot,  she’s got a big heart.
She tolerates and patient with us.
She’s amazing.

Sindisiwe Ncube – Grade 12

I live in Mndeni South with my parents. Ma’am Linda Mankazana told us that there would   be people doing photography at our school and I became very interested.

I used to take pictures with my phone and I used to take different places and environment.  I decided to do photography because I like Media Studies and I can be behind the scenes.

Before Lindeka and Zanele came to school to tell us about photography I didn’t know anything about it.

I didn’t know what to do on my first time taking a picture but Lindeka told me to focus all the time. I shot a bus, a dirty place, goats and a cemetery. I was not sure of myself but Lindeka helped me.  She said using focus all the time is very important for your picture.

My mother was not happy about it when I told her that I’m doing photography at school. She thought it will make me tired and distract me from my books.
When ma’am Linda Mankazana came home and explained to her then she became soft. I also make sure I do everything in the house so that she can allow me to go and practice photography.

It was my first time to see a woman photographer. There are mostly men in photography and I believe as women we’re capable of doing everything, there’s no women’s or men’s work.

I am happy about photography also I learnt that a person is capable of doing anything you wish to do. I am confident about myself.

Lindeka is a very patient person. Our teachers get tired of us. She makes sure that you understand, she repeats it all the time. It’s really a good opportunity for me.

My friends from my community are surprise that I’m doing photography. It’s not something common in our communities to see a woman holding a camera.

Thobekile Zwane – Grade 11

I come from Jabulani, Soweto.
I live with my brothers. My mom passed away in 2005, I was still young at that time.

I feel so fortunate to be involved in Lindeka and Zanele’s group. I didn’t know Zanele before.  What she wants from a girl child is for her to know people, to communicate through photography. I was a soccer player before and I loved football. I didn’t know anything about photography at all and I didn’t bother …

The first time I shot a portrait, it was easy but shocking.

It’s interesting to do photography it has made me to understand things, see new things everyday, understand it as a career. I think about it all the time and I even told my brothers at home they are very supportive.  You can wake me up at 2am telling me to shoot, I will just slowly open my eyes then I will take the camera go and shoot.

I love shooting nature because it has four different seasons and in them you see different things. I feel very fortunate about this opportunity as a young woman from Soweto it has really changed me. I used to have bad friends but through photography I’ve managed to leave them and focus on me.

My brother has promised me to buy a camera and I’m happy. I will shoot everyday.

Lindeka is a mother to me. She understands us and she explains things thoroughly. 
I don’t want her to go I know her kids are in Cape Town.

I would like photography to be introduced as a subject in schools so that girls can have an opportunity to know about it. In my community some girls do ask me about photography and they want to be involved too.

Teacher Mankazana is my mom. I can say she’s my second mom because my mom died in 2006.
She gives me love that I don’t get.  She does things for me and she doesn’t get tired.
I love her.

Ntomb’futhi Shabalala – Grade 10

I live with my mom and my siblings in Dobsonville. I knew a bit about photography through my neighbour who is a photographer. We used to chill out and talk about it. He used to tell me that photography is about colour, capturing memories, people and things around you, also you going out.

There’s nothing wrong with my first picture because I’m a perfect and extra ordinary and I like extra ordinary things as well. I had to find a perfect position, focus because without focus there’s no picture.

Zanele and Lindeka came to introduce photography at my school to empower us girls. It’s a great opportunity for us here. I would like other girls to grab these kinds of opportunities.

I’m a painter and drawer and I’ve found a third love in photography and I consider myself as an artist.

Lindeka is my mother to me and she’s good in what she’s doing. My dream would to collaborate wither at some point.

Zanele has got fortitude; she bears whatever comes on her way.
I would like to own a camera but I know my mom won’t afford it.

Related links

2014 Sept. 8: Manku and her niece buried next to each other

by Lerato Dumse
Photos by Kamo Petlele

and

2014 July 16: Through the eyes of young women photographers

and

2014 July 12: From Soweto to Paris for the love of photography

and

2014 July 13: ” Give children cameras not candies”

and

2014 Aug.1: InterGenerational conversation with current and future stars

and

2014 Aug. 30: Young aspiring photographers experimenting lithography

and

2014 Aug. 30: Insightful analysis from the guest speaker

and

2014 Aug. 28: Fine Artists on importance of being creative

and

2014 Sept. 8: Manku and her niece buried next to each other