Oh why is it that I feel I have sinned
I have lusted over her,
with hips so wide.
There’s nowhere for me to hide
What sin is this?
What scale will it be measured by
God?
The lesbian
The sin

It’s just so damn confusing
Why does she have to possess perky breasts?
That make me drool and wet.
Why does she have to be so soft
and when she moves the wind sways towards her direction.
God
The lesbian
The sin

I converse with God every night
this is what he says:

“You are my daughter I love you with everything that I am,
I have said in my word I do not approve of your lust over other women,
I do not despise you,
I despise the demon in you.”

I do not mean to speak out of turn,
but
Why does she have to smile and make my insides shudder in fear?
Why does she have to have a posture so great I want to climb and do things to her?
Why am I so taken by her nakedness?
Everything sinfully winking at me to bite
Bite and touch,
Touch and caress,
Caress and penetrate,
Penetrate and cum,
Cum in floods,
Floods of ecstasy that no man has ever achieve.

I converse with the Devil after every lustful ordeal,
here’s what he says:
“God is telling you shit.
Fuck her,
Love her,
Lust over her,
Do whatever you feel is right and pleasure yourself.
Indulge in this for the greatest sin would be to deny yourself what God has allowed,
this is no sin it simply is happiness.
He wants you to be happy right?
So he says, “I want you to live freely with no rules after all my lesbian,
the Bible is full of threats and blackmail.”

Oh but why does it hurt when I disobey my Creator?
How can you say such,
I don’t know if you are to be listened to.
I wonder if you deserve any of my attention
but you make so much sense
God
The lesbian
The sin

Why does she have to moan in bliss?
Why are her eyes so inviting?
Almost like windows that peep through her soul.
Her curvy chubby body does things to me,
that are incomprehensible to any scribe.

I spoke to the lesbian after the mind blowing sex she had
But why do you do this?
What is it about women that draw you in?
Do you believe you are possessed by a demon, so sexy and fatal?
Here’s what the Lesbian said:
“But I have tried for so many years to suppress these feelings,
I went out with guys,
I slept with them,
I had babies with them,
Hell I married three of them,
but the feeling wouldn’t go away.
My first husband was addicted to sex.
He fucked me all the time and it pained me so much.
Well, the second one was an intellectual
always reading but wanted a big family
so once or twice a month we would have sex
all the while shooting for a baby.
Third one was a slob but abusive, drinks, pees and farts.
That was when I knew I had to go get my women.
See the crux is.
If it is so wrong why then does it feel so damn good to me?
Why am I happy for the first time in my life?”
Oh how awful.
Perhaps you need more prayers,
fast and listen to God.
Why does her skin glow,
blinding my beliefs and my traditions?
Her lips glistening with red lipstick
that is like the insides of her womanhood,
so refreshing and edible.
Why does she have to be so gentle and subtle?

Her stiletto walk makes a sound that directs me to the bedroom
where she lays bare for me to see.

Her perfume lures me.
I lose sense of reality.
This all here is holy.
Where angels refuse to tread
in case they catch site of this and fall into sin.

Is it pure magic, or an illusion?
It is poetry and art.
Skin so pale,
I need to touch it with my lips and gifted hands to breathe
and sink life into it.
Pure bliss.
Words cannot do any justice into this masterpiece.
Head spinning like a top.
I feel my blood clotting
the heart is in joy.
The head comes up with nothing
The eyes bare witness
to one of the most beautiful women
to grace mother earth.

I’ll pray hard.
Live slow.
Maybe repent.
Dance gently.
Meditate.

This is, oh so Godly.
All so lesbian.
and perhaps a sin.
God.
The lesbian
The sin.

I pray
I choose the latter.

by Thulielove Gifted Hands Sodumo

© 20 Aug 2012

Previous by Thulielove

2013 Sept. 11: The touch

and

  2013 June 11: Double Trouble


and

2013 April 3: Reflecting on InterSexions

and

2013 April 4: Gender blind

Photos by Lebo Ntladi (08.11.2013)
Where: Uncle Tom Hall, Soweto. Johanneburg
What: Miss Gay Soweto Semi-finals
Finals to be held on the 7th Dec. 2013 at Soweto Theatre.

About the photographer

Kelebogile Ntladi was born in Soweto and raised on the East of Johannesburg.
Lebo was schooled and matriculated at Dominican Convent School in Belgravia in 2006, went to Cape Town to pursue studies in Fine Arts at Cape College.
Cape Town became a space of exploration and insight into the art world, introduced to Zanele Muholi and the Gugulective collective of visual artists. Upon return to Johannesburg in 2010.
Lebo volunteered at Keleketla library as a photographer which inspired studies in Photography at the Market Photo Workshop in 2012. Here the interest in social documentary and portrait photography and started taking shape.
After her studies she worked with Inkanyiso, a queer media organization based in Johannesburg.

Lebo was interested in creating social change through art.
In 2013 started working with a human rights Queer Visual Media Organization based in Johannesburg, called Iranti-Org. Lebo participated in group shows at the Market Photo Workshop.

Her photographic body of work titled “Split Halves’ was on show at the University of Johannesburg in September 2013.
The show will move to Cape Town in February at Michaelis, University of Cape Town, where her new body of work ‘Umshini Wam’ will be on show before her first solo exhibition in Cape Town in March 2014 at 6 Spin Street Gallery.
Lebo is currently based in Johannesburg.

… Seven (7) days later

Photos by Lebo Ntladi

It was in 2011 during their vacation in Cape Town when Nhlanhla Moremi made a promised to marry Ayanda Magoloza in 2 years. 2013 came and Moremi finished paying ilobolo to the Magoloza family.
On the 9th Nov. 2013 more than hundred friends and family members witnessed the best wedding of Ayanda & Nhlanhla at Kwanele Park, Katlehong.
The lovebirds’ union was blessed by Pastor Moema in front of both family elders. Nhlanhla’s mother expressed her love for Ayanda publicly which is a unique stance taken by any brave mother these days.

Today marks exactly 8 days since they were officially united in love.

Related links

2013 June 15: The Durban Lesbian Wedding of the Year

and

Lesbians Tie the Knot in Katlehong

When you’re in love nothing else really matters.
Just you and the person you’re in love with.

I’m in love with a wonderful soul, a wonderful woman.
I have been in love before, but never like this.
Could it be because it’s with a woman?
Maybe.
I believe I’m a very difficult person to love, sometimes I wonder how she does it.
I’m one stubborn woman who finds it hard to love and be patient to see it through. But ever since I started dating her, things have changed.

I have learned the art of loving, loving without reservation.
I have learned to be patient, to fight for what I love and believe in.

Just as in any relationship, there are fights, we also disagree and fight at times.
But through it all we never forget how we feel about each other.
The love we share compels us to find the way back to each other.
You know the thing about love is that it makes you free, free to be who you really are – NO PRETENCE!

When I’m with her I can be myself, without any fear, without fearing what she thinks of me.
She has taught me to be free in love, to love without boundaries.
As a woman in a lesbian relationship, I used to battle to love a woman OPENLY.
She helped me realised that love has no gender, what’s important is that you are in love.

People have mentioned to me that I am glowing, I look happy and younger they say.
There’s something about being in love that becomes contagious.
I have seen my daughter open up and fall in love with my partner.
I have also seen my family warming up to her and loving her like one of their own.
Even though they don’t understand that we’re in a relationship, they still love her.
They have also admitted that I have become lighter, happier and more approachable.
If love brings such happiness to someone, then who could deny them that?

Yes, love surely is a wonderful thing and I can safely say I’m ready for the next level!!!

It has been said that
“LOVE IS A MENTAL ILLNESS” – and I agree…
I AM MADLY IN LOVE WITH Phumla Rose Masuku.

© Buli Vimbelela
2013

About the author

Buli is a caring mother to her lovely daughter and a lover to her partner.
In this creative piece she declares her love for Rose.
There are so many beautiful women like her but always find it hard to express their love for the same gender publicly with fear of being discriminated against.

by Maureen Velile Majola

That night you made me stay up
so you can pour out your heart

When you reminded me of all my mistakes
When the age gap played it significant role again

The reminder
The constant reminder
That I MUST know my place

The silence in your speech
That said so much more than your words

I can never forget that night
You held my hand so tight
Looked me in the eyes
and told me “Uyisifebe wena”

All because I didn’t wanna do everything you told me
Because I refused to play by your rules
Because I wanted a lover and not a possible mother

The memory of that day lives
It breathes
It speaks to me

I can never forget the longest bus ride to Jhb from nowhere
I don’t wanna forget the look on your face
The grip of your hand
The words

The WORDS
The WORDS

They still play out in my head
I can hear your voice telling me I’m a “BITCH”
For loving you
Giving you my all
Staying with you even when I wanted to leave
Enduring all the pain
That came with loving you

Seeing you on your terms
Needing you
Wanting you
Missing you
Caring for you

Holding back
From loving others
Because I believed in YOU
I believed in US
That never existed

I can never forget
How you looked at my food
The meal I prepared out of love
and you just look at it and say
“Awukwazi ukupheka”

You always found a way to make me feel stupid
and feel like I needed you to hold my hand
As I beat that egg in a glass
Pour the oil in the pen
and try frying it
Just as you like it

Oh how my love
My endless effort
Was like pouring water on a duck

I don’t ever wanna go down that road again

I can’t let my SOUL go through this again

I will never let anyone make me feel like trash

When I know I am Gold.

Previous by Maureen

2013 Nov. 6: Moving On To Only Stay Behind

and

2013 Oct. 20: Deafened by my own ignorance

and

2013 Aug. 26: Just one day

and

2013 Aug. 6: My body as a subject of hate crime

and

2013 July 20: I’ve lived with her for years

and

2013 July 7: Trouble Soul
and

2013 June 21: The Princess of Norway pitched just for Muholi
and

2013 June 4: My Only Man

and

2013 May 16: Don’t touch ME!

and

2012 March 20: There’s a strawberry garden between your legs

Photo Album by Akhona Hailele & Zanele Muholi/ Inkanyiso

When:  8th Nov. 2013

Where:  Uncle Tom Hall, Soweto

Who:  MCee’d by Yaya & Lebo

Organized by Tumi, Penny, Letebele, Fino...

Finals to be held on the 7th Dec. 2013

 
Related article

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

Dear Friend,

If you are interested in reviewing QAR, kindly write to Sokari Ekine:
sokari@blacklooks.org
Thank you!

Remarks by

Amb. Mustaq Moorad

Regional Director, International IDEA, Africa Programme

at the Workshop on  “Strategies to overcome Political Exclusion-Lessons from Southern Africa”

Pretoria, South Africa

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me welcome you to Pretoria on behalf of International IDEA.
It is significant that we meet today as we celebrate the International Day for Peoples with Disabilities

Toni Morrison a famous American novelist said and I quote “I always looked upon the acts of racist exclusion, or insult, as pitiable, from the other person. I never absorbed that. I always thought that there was something deficient about such people,” end of quote.

Looking up the term social exclusion or marginalisation, I found that it is a concept used to characterise contemporary forms of social disadvantage and relegation to the fringe of society. Anyone who deviates in any perceived way from the norm of a population may become subject to coarse of subtle forms of social exclusion.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are very happy to collaborate with our colleagues from our Democracy and Diversity Programme to organise this workshop on “Strategies to overcome Political Exclusion – Lessons from Southern Africa” because we realise that issues of diversity and social exclusion or inclusion are becoming quite prominent in this part of the continent and yet not much is being done to address them.

We also agreed to co-host because three of the countries invited to participate (Botswana, Namibia and South Africa) are amongst the six African Member States of International IDEA. As the saying goes, “charity begins at home” so we felt that as an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to support democracy worldwide IDEA Member States should be at the forefront of the countries that address this lacunae in the consolidation of democracy in our respective countries. I think the next few days will show that we have a lot of catching up to do.

Although IDEA takes a non-prescriptive approach to its work, it does produce comparative knowledge resources which are used as global public goods to help address some of the challenges countries face.

International IDEA’s cross-cutting work on Democracy and Diversity aims to generate knowledge on inclusive participation, promoting effective diversity management policies and practices. Specifically, IDEA aims to identify and share good practice in managing the challenges confronting customary and democratic governance.

Since 2011 the Institute’s Democracy and Diversity Programme has been developing a knowledge base to use in improving the capacities of democratic and customary governance structures to manage and accommodate diversity based on both case studies and workshops.

The first of the workshops was held in Nepal in 2012 and included participants from Latin America, South East Asia and Africa sharing experiences of overcoming marginalisation based on ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation and religion.

This second workshop will build on the knowledge generated at that Workshop, but focus on the Southern African region, aiming to provide insightful examples of success in managing diversity and overcoming political exclusion based on gender, age or sexual orientation.

The workshop therefore seeks to provide a forum for practitioners to share examples of successful practice in facilitating gender equality and young peoples, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transsexual and intersexual (LGBTI) progress from exclusion to inclusion in democratic and customary governance.

The outcomes of the workshop will add to our body of knowledge on successful strategies to overcome political exclusion for marginalised groups and will also, hopefully, serve to build alliances between groups experiencing political exclusion from countries in this region and elsewhere.

IDEA also organised a Roundtable recently in The Hague on “Including Minorities and Marginalised Groups in Constitution Building Processes: Experiences, Challenges and lessons” which highlighted the fact that all states have marginalised groups but that it is possible to address the issue through constitutional guarantees.

Coming back to our workshop today and for fear of stating the obvious let me just highlight few facts:

1. Of the five or six countries represented here only South Africa has constitutionally guaranteed provisions against discrimination of marginalised groups such as LGBTI although we know that they are continuously harassed.
2. As we celebrated World Aids Day on 1 December we were reminded that many of our countries continue to discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS especially those in same sex relationships.
3. Apart from South Africa, women are still grossly underrepresented in positions of leadership in the political and economic field. A study we commissioned assessing manifestos of the main political parties in 34 African countries revealed that none of the manifestos addressed women’s empowerment and yet political parties are the gate keepers of the political process.
4. Regarding youth, one would have expected that in a continent where youth comprise almost two thirds of the population there would be policies addressing youth unemployment.
5. The growing income inequality gap is exacerbating.

At the international level there are opportunities to address some of the issues as part of the post 2015 Development Framework. However, it remains to be seen if there is the political will to come up with specific targets in this area.

We welcome the Report of the High Level Panel to the UN Secretary General on what needs to be done regarding inclusion and bringing in marginalised groups so that the post 2015 Development framework embodies development for all and thus no one is left behind.

It is encouraging that social inclusion is amongst the three pillars of the sustainable development agenda framework agreed at the Rio +20 Conference.

It is important that different identity groups do not get left behind. Society has to respect and include all identity groups. One cannot be satisfied with the quality of governance if marginalised groups are unable to participate.

The window of opportunity is slowly closing for non-governmental organisations and other civil society organisations to influence the work of the Open Working Group and of the UNGA as these negotiations are normally conducted at an inter-governmental level, the only way we can influence the process is by building coalitions with other groups.

As the UN SG says “in order to leave no one behind and bring everyone forward, actions are needed to promote inclusive societies where all people can contribute and participate in national and local governance.”

As we build these coalitions we also have to ensure that we own the debate by providing local remedies to some of our problems and in this way avoid being accused of being the lackeys of cultural imperialism.

Let me conclude by once again stating how important the issue of political exclusion and marginalisation is to democratic consolidation in our region and that our countries should ensure that no one is left behind. I hope that the next few days will provide the opportunity for you to come up with some strategies and also for building those coalitions.

Thank you.

Activists attending the IDEA workshops on the 3-6 Dec. 2013, in Pretoria.
© Zanele Muholi (2013/12/05)

Participants live and work in various Southern African countries and they are from:

Rainbow Identity (Botswana)

LEGABIBO (Botswana)

Women and Law in Southern Africa (Lesotho)

National University of Lesotho (Lesotho)

Centre for the Development of People (Malawi)

Non-Governmental Organisation Gender Coordination Network (NGO GCN) (Malawi)

National Youth Council of Malawi (Malawi)

Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (Malawi)

Civil Liberties Committee (Malawi)

Women Across Borders (Namibia)

Namibia Women’s Health Network (Namibia)

Pan African ILGA/PAI  (Namibia)

Zambia National Women’s Group (Zambia)

Operation Young Vote/OYV  (Zambia)

National Association of Youth Organisations/ NAYO (Zimbabwe)

Coalition of African Lesbians / CAL (South Africa)

180 Studios (Australia)

LaNYT Theatre (England)

Minority Rights Group International (United Kingdom)

Fortify Rights (Thailand)

IDEA (Sweden)

Inkanyiso (South Africa)

The workshops were facilitated by Amanda Harding, a consultant from England/France for IDEA.

by Londeka Dlamini

Izolo iNingizimu Afrika yonkana ibithintekile ngokuhanjelwa iqhawe uTata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela obefihlwa khona izolo endaweni yase Qunu esifundazweni sase Eastern Cape okulapho azalelwa khona uTata. Khona manjalo isizwe sonkana nakwamanye amazwe bekugujwa inkululeko asilethela yona uTata uMandela, abangakwazanga ukumphelezela eyobekwa endlini yakhe yokugcina bebewubuka kumabonakude umngcwabo waleliqhawe, abanye belalele emsakazweni, ngisho emasontweni immbala bekuphakanyiswa amaflegi alapha eNingizimu Afrika kuphakanyiswa nezithombe zakhe Tata uMadiba kuthiwa siyabonga ukulwile ukulwa okuhle.

Ibandla eliseThekwini esifundazweni saKwaZulu Natal iVictory Ministries International elaziwa kakhulu ngokwamukela abantu abaphila impilo yobutabane (Gay Friendly Church) nakhona bekuvaleliswa uTata, kukhulunywa ngenkululeko asiphe yona. Isikhulumi uPaul obedlulisa amazwi enkuthazo
(word of encouragement) ukhulume ngencwadi ka Daniel isahluko sesbili evesini leshumi nane kuya kweleshumi nesishagalombili (Daniel 2: verse 14-18) lapho khona amadoda amathathu ephoswa emlilweni ngoba enqaba ukukhothamela isithombe esasibekiwe, uPaul uthathe wathi uTata uMadiba uyilwelile inkululeko yabantu abamnyama ngakho akukho lapho sikhothama khona singathandi, sesiphila sikhululekile.

Bekubhalwe umunyu kuwowonke umuntu enkonzweni ngokudlula kuka Madiba emhlabeni, abazalwane bonke befake izingubo ezimnyama okukhombisa ukuzila.
Kukhanyiswe amakhandlela, ilowo nalowo ephethe elakhe ukuthi ndlelanhle ku Tata uMandela, kuculwe amaculo omzabalazo akhuluma ngo Madiba kwashukuma indlu yonke lapho khona umfundisikazi uZungu ecula iculo elithi ”Nelson Mandela usilethela uxolo”, ne Worship-Team yebandla ingazibekile phansi becula amaculo asikhumbuza oka Madiba esho phambili uZodwa Ndlovu kanye no Zama beqala amaculo.
Kuthe kusenjalo omunye umzalwane washo ngengilo eculo iculo elithi ” Uhulumeni uyagcwala ngathi, uthi asishade sthandane sodwa uhulumeni uyagcwala ngathi”, indlu yonke ilithakasele leliculo abashadile bekhomba izindandatho zabo kanye no mam’ mfundisi.

Ibe isisipha izwi leNkosi inceku kaNkulunkulu umfundisi uZungu, wavula encwadini kaMathewu 8 verse 28-32, lapho khona kukhulunywa ngamadimoni. ”Ngike ngathula ngacabanga ukuthi ukube uTata akayilwelanga inkululeko yethu ngabe sikuphi, uJesu weza emhlabeni ukuba umxhumanisi phakathi komuntu no Nkulunkulu, kanjalo no Tata ube isipho kithina waba ngumxhumanisi phakathi komuntu omnyama nomhlophe. Ukulwile ukulwa okuhle lala uphumule Tata Madiba” lawo kube amazwi ka mfundisi eqala intshumayelo yakhe. UMenzi Nxumalo obeqoqa umnikelo ukhulume ngokuthi ukube uMadiba akayilwelanga inkululeko ngabe abantu abakwazi ngisho ukukhululeka ngempilo yobutabane, usebenzile uTata kodwa manje uyiqedile indima yakhe.

Isigoqwa inkonzo umfundisi uphakamise uMvangeli uSkhumbuzo Sbisi kanye no Thula Khanyile oyilungu lebandla naye esho ukuthi uMahlase ubeyocela ibuhlobo obuhle kubo ka Thula, babe sebebahalalisela bebaxhawula ngenjabulo bonke abazalwane kwazise umfundisi uhlale enxusa ukuba abazalwane balobolane bashade kwaziwe bangajolani emakhoneni.

Previous by Londeka and related articles

2013 Sept. 19: Ikhiphe Icwecwe layo lokuqala i Victory Ministries (VMCI)

and

2013 September 1: Bafake umfaniswano omama nobab’ umfundisi

and

2013 June 18: New Brand For House Music Lovers

and

2013 June 16: Zishade libalele izitabane

and

2013 June 15: The Durban Lesbian Wedding of the Year

International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance)
2013: Africa Programme at the Workshop on “Strategies to overcome Political Exclusion-Lessons from Southern Africa” held in Pretoria, South Africa.

by Jeremiah Sepotokele

The International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) hosted a four day workshop on strategies to overcome political exclusion by marginalised groups from the Global South, particularly the Southern African region. The workshop took place from the 3- 6 Dec .2013.

IDEA group during the workshop…

Although I attended the last two days of the workshop with Zanele Muholi, the workshop was really an educational and a platform that linked a number of civil society groups from the region. Participants came from various Southern African countries including:  Rainbow Identity (Botswana); LEGABIBO (Botswana); Women and Law in Southern Africa (Lesotho); National University of Lesotho (Lesotho); Centre for the Development of People (Malawi); Non-Governmental Organisation Gender Coordination Network (NGO GCN) (Malawi); National Youth Council of Malawi (Malawi); Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (Malawi); Civil Liberties Committee (Malawi); Women Across Borders (Namibia); Namibia Women’s Health Network (Namibia); Pan African ILGA/PAI  (Namibia); Zambia National Women’s Group (Zambia); Operation Young Vote/OYV  (Zambia); National Association of Youth Organisations/ NAYO (Zimbabwe); Coalition of African Lesbians / CAL (South Africa); 180 Studios (Australia);  LaNYT Theatre (England); Minority Rights Group International (United Kingdom); Fortify Rights (Thailand); IDEA (Sweden); Inkanyiso (South Africa)

Amanda’s facilitation…

The workshops were facilitated by Amanda Harding who is a consultant from England/ France and the much broader focus was on marginalised groups which included issues affecting members of the LGBTI community, women and youth.
Different strategies and lessons were further discoursed and shared at this platform. Upon my arrival with Muholi (on the third day), there was a great sense of community and positive energy among the participants of the workshop. Muholi with her photographic savvy and prowess was requested to take a group photo of the participants and their spirits were sky-high as they smiled “cheese” directly at the camera lens without fail.

After lunch, Muholi took to the platform to present on visual activism: multi-media strategies and how different media outlets can be organized in combination to battle political exclusion. Muholi was introduced by Lerato Dumse to the participants briefly as she set up shop for her presentation.

The presentation proved to be refreshing as Muholi spoke on queer visibility in mainstream media  and taking ownership of media platforms as way of asserting queer existence.
A video-clip which Muholi worked on in collaboration with the Human Rights Watch (HRW) was screened and it explored her work as a visual activist.
The video-clip documented Muholi’s photographic practice in which she asserts lesbian love and violence through portraiture. The work of Inkanyiso which she founded was also captured in the clip and spoke of importance of collectivism and how the platform explores the untold stories and experiences of black lesbians and other members of the LGBTI community.
Muholi  further necessitated the importance of creative art forms as a tool for advancing gender advocacy and human rights objectives.

She provided the participants with a more tangible evidence of how documentation can perform the work of political assertion in a much contested and violent social environment against minority groups and black lesbians in the country and beyond.

Blessed kiss of Nhlanhla & Ayanda on their wedding day at Kwanele Park, Thokoza on the 9th Nov. 2013.

Furthermore, Muholi shared the recent documentary of Ayanda Magoloza and Nhlanhla Moremi’s wedding (a lesbian couple) who live in Thokoza township as way of expounding on what she had mentioned in the video  viewed earlier.
There is a necessity of a balanced documentation, one that is an honest representation of queer realities.

“SO therefore one must strike a balance between the stories of love and intimacy than those which are negative: …of violence and hate crimes” she said.
The viewing of the lesbian’s couple wedding in the township was undisputedly revitalizing as it provided an instant for a celebration of positive narratives of romantic lesbian love and passion.  “These stories are equally important as they themselves ignite anger and disorganizes the mind of the perpetrators of hate crimes” said Muholi.

After the presentation the group headed for dinner which was held at Moyo restaurant in Pretoria.  The food was scrumptious and provided another opportunity for personal engagement among participants. There was a musician with an acoustic guitar playing all sorts of melodies and harmonies which left the participants dance and hop as if their lives depended on those expressions.

Zami being painted after dinner at Moyo’s…

The last day of the workshop began with the moment of reflection from what the participants had learned thus far. Majority of the participants pointed out on Muholi’s inspirational presentation and reflected on the importance of documentation and the use of available resources for communication. Others pointed out how they have learned the use of theatre as an instrument of initiating change.

Before wrapping up the workshop, the organisers set up a small-group task on alliance building and mobilization strategies.
The task was to deliberately gear the participants into formulating strategies on what was imparted on them throughout the workshop. The participants were divided into three groups, each working on youth, women’s rights and the LGBTI community respectively. Subsequently there was a feedback session by a representative from each group describing strategies on alliance building from their own separate thematic areas as tasked.

All the groups were not as original as they basically reiterated what was discussed throughout the session, from politically-charged theatrical initiatives to documentation projects that was spoken of amongst others.

However the workshop was an interesting platform as it explored the intersectional similarities between marginalised groups. The session ended with concluding remarks from Amanda Harding and Julian Smith who were the facilitators from International IDEA.

Related article

2013 Dec. 3: “Strategies to overcome Political Exclusion-Lessons from Southern Africa”

Seated in front of the late Maleshwane’s coffin is her uncle on the left and mother in the centre
© Photos by Charmain Carrol
(14 Dec. 2013)

Who: Maleshwane Emely Radebe

Identity: Black Lesbian

Born : 25th Aug. 1977

Murdered on: 7th Dec. 2013

Buried on: 14th Dec. 2013

Buried Where : Ekuthuleni Graveyard, Ext. 23

Residence: Ratanda, Johannesburg. South Africa

What: Sustained a stab wound and died on spot after being attacked alongside her girlfriend in their shack.
The girlfriend managed to escape and survived with stab wounds on her face, arm and thigh.

Survived by her mother, 3 nieces and 2 children born by the nieces.

Report/ article to follow on this recent incident.

Radebe’s family home where the night vigil took place on the 13th Dec. 2013

Nunu Sigasa shedding tears during the funeral service…

The mother mourning the sudden death of her daughter who was the sole breadwinner at home

Radebe’s uncle who spoke on behalf of the family

Friends and supporters who came to the funeral…

Maleshwane’s burial site at Ekuthuleni Graveyard in Ratanda

by Jeremiah Sepotokele

2013 Oct. 4:  Wits University, Johannesburg. South Africa.

The Wits Student Law Journal for Southern Africa hosted a conference “Incendo on the
4^th of October 2013 at the Chalsty Centre at the Wits School of Law, West Campus.
The Journal is a legal publication housed at the School of Law, Wits University which is managed by law students (including myself) and funded by OSISA (Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa).
It aims at providing a platform for academicians, legal practitioners and students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) on legal discourse around subjects affecting Southern Africa.
The conference was a day long, and slotted in three sessions on different topics.

The first session was on the “Land Reform Policy and Politics” by Professor Vinodh Jaichand
(a land reform expert) who presented an elaborate comparative assessment on land reform policy in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Prof Vinodh questioned the feature of expropriation with compensation in the South African context and maintained that this transaction approach seems completely insensible of the past injustices done.
“So now there has to be a transaction for the claiming of land which they took without any form of compensation.”
This session was a necessary dialogue considering the issue of land, post-colonial Southern Africa and the socio-economic landscape at regional level which still remains a difficult space in our democracies.

The second session was on the socio-legal status of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and intersex (LGBTI) communities in the Southern African region.
The session really did attract a lot of conversation and interest. It was also an activist platform where a lot of educating and learning took place. The session was conducted by way of a panel discussion, and on the panel was Professor Marius Pieterse (a law professor publishing on sexual minorities) and Nomancotsho Pakade from Gay Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA).
Justice Edwin Cameron from the Constitutional Court had excused himself from the panel due to unforeseen circumstances.

The two panellists who identify as bisexual and lesbian respectively looked at international law instruments, campaign building and general violence against the LGBTI communities in the region. There was nonetheless a slight deviation from the topic of the session and a lot of attendants were interested in the personal and emotional lives of the LGBTI communities.
The panellists used their own life stories to further engage with the larger issues affecting sexual minorities in the region.
The engagement was extremely educational that one of the attendants confessed:
“I will never be the same after this conference, my own internal prejudices were challenged and I now fully understand the LGBTI struggle.”
So the importance of dialogue cannot be undermined as it does a lot of political work in addressing some of the evil attitudes confronted by these communities.

After a delightful lunch the last segment of the conference was presented by Advocate Justin Shimbo, a practising lawyer from Tanzania.
The Tanzanian lawyer presented his paper on cyber-law and gave us a comparative analysis on cyber-space regulation in South Africa and Tanzania.
He pointed out the lack of a fit regulatory framework within the Tanzanian jurisdiction and commended the South African legal framework for making considerations on such a need.

The conference did provide a platform for discourse beyond the recognizable limits of the actual publication.
The comparative dialogue did allow for proper reflection and exploration of viable solutions from different contexts in which we exist.
Furthermore, I think that these platforms need to be created and shared with ordinary regional citizens as education is the greatest investment that can help us unite as Africans, especially those residing in remote areas like our South African townships where service provision is still sparse.
Ngiyabonga!

• Jeremiah Sepotokele is Editorial Associate: Local Content and Conference Co-ordinator for the Wits Student Law Journal for SADC.
  Sepotokele is also an avid  researcher and contributor for Inkanyiso media.

  Previous by Jeremiah

2013 Dec. 6: IDEA dialogue on strategies of activism with Southern African activists

and

2013 Aug. 24: Queer Africa Book launch…here comes the pessimist!!!

and

2013 Aug. 22: I Spoke to My Heart…

and

2013 Aug. 15: The documentation of black LGBTI in South Africa

and

2013 Aug. 13: Love Transcends and Love Prevails

and

2013 July 29: Education, Queer Youth, Hate Crimes: So where to from here?

by Andiswa Dlamini

Words cannot describe my experience in Paris.
It honestly felt like I was part of a painting.
It felt surreal. It’s weird in life when we allow our dreams to expand to places and then when our dreams actually become real and travel into those places. It becomes a dream you don’t think you imagined (not sure whether that makes much sense). I enjoyed every moment and I thank all the things Nawo (the most amazing person) did and of course for opening her home to me for 2 weeks.
I was more than happy to see places that I have only ever heard about like the Bridge of locks, in which I left a lock on that bridge in hope that one day I shall go there with my partner.
I felt a bit over whelmed when I saw the pyramids of the Louvre, I mean I had learnt about them during my art days when I used to draw and it honestly was the most amazing thing ever and of course I got to see the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is beautiful especially at night, when I stood right underneath it I was blown away thinking to myself wow am I really here.

There are so many people that I met, places that I went to and underground trains that I travelled on.  I would like to write about everything in great detail but maybe I shall write a monologue, my dedication to Paris. On the night of my performance I was really ready. I went to the back and I started to listen to some good deep house music. This reminded me of home and of course I used it to calm my nerves and just silence my thoughts. Nawo introduced me and before I go on stage I always say ‘Andy all you need to do is say the first line, once you say that line perfectly all will be well’.

I sat on the chair with the spotlight on me, and the audience giving me their attention. I began my first line “he said an African woman must have kids, must marry a male partner who will serve as the head of the family; this is the tradition he knew.”

Once I said that I was in my zone and uZanele was there clicking way taking still frames of a moment I would never have a chance to experience again. When I was done with my performance I remember having a moment of sadness because I had just achieved a dream and my Mother, Sister or my partner wasn’t there. My mother being such a supportive person in every/ anything I do. My mother was the person I consulted when I wrote the script, I needed to make sure that she understood why I had a video piece of myself half naked as part of the script. I needed her to understand each poem that I stitched into the script so that it created the perfect piece. I truly wished she was there.

I wished my sister was there because she inspires me, much like my partner who is the only person that truly makes me nervous when I have written a new script. I need her opinion because she’s that real, no sugar coating whatsoever. I was truly blessed when uZanele erased that sadness with her excitement. She gave me a piece of home, making me feel like my friends and family were there with me. uZanele was excited, it was also her first time actually seeing me perfom.  She had only read my work and I often used to think ukuthi uZanele supports passion it’s as if she knows what drives a person and gives them so much excitement.

The show was great.  So many people were too shy to come up to me and say something because of the language barrier but ke they eventually did come to speak to me simply saying “you were good’, “it was intense”, “very good” and honestly who needs anymore words.
I think just to know that I touched an audience with my words is enough because sometimes you can tell how you impacted someone just by looking at them.
Immediately the next day I started to think about new script ideas…
Ideas that will not only deal with intense issues such as “corrective rape” but ideas that deal with small issues because the more we produce work about our day to day lives.
The more the world might understand and see that we too have the same problems, even if it is something small like thinking that someone is out of your league and not being sure how to ask them out.

This is an issue I have written about in a script called ‘overthinking’ that I incorporated in ‘a part of me’ script that I performed in Paris.
It is a funny script and people relate to.  My heart was warm when I performed an extract of the ‘Overthinking’ script. People started to laugh because it means that I with all the issues that surround homosexuality we have so many moments where we just live, laugh and love.

Previous by Andiswa

2013 July 31: Contrast of love and hate



and

2013 July 3: Another fucked up case

and

2013 June 4: emotional confusion of a break-up

and

2013 May 16: Sex


and

2013 May 3: I resent you

and

2013 Feb. 10: Parts  

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

On the train to New York from Albany
The moment’s
the movements,
when silver lining hits the lake.
Outlining your back 
forcing me 
to remember the last touch.

When I washed your back, your feet swollen.
You told me that you suffered from short breathe,
sometimes felt cold at times over heated.
I wanted to jump in that painted white bathtub
now replaced with a shower.

I asked you to replace me inside in your womb,
your thighs warm 
kind like turned me on.
Tell me how you feel as I stroke your figure,
your stomach swells.
Am I afraid that soon you’ll miscarry me.
I’m scared honestly 
do not wish to lose you.

Last night I slept in an old creaking bed
desperate for you in my dreams.
Why won’t you come,
come and be with me if not come for me.

My life has never been the same since
the night you left me
4 years and 8 days
marks exactly the period
we left you boxed under that grave
at 17^th Umlazi cemetery.

I still love you mama

© Zanele Muholi
12/10/2013

One of the most unique weddings we documented on the 22nd Dec. 2013

Related articles

2013 Dec. 22: Promise(d) Gift

Previous Weddings

2013 Nov. 9: Ayanda & Nhlanhla’s wedding

and

 
2013 June 15: The Durban Lesbian Wedding of the Year
 

by Lerato Dumse

On the 1^st January 2014 around 3pm, Sonto Mokoena (30) was sitting in Phiri section, Soweto with her cousins and friends she grew up with having celebrating

New Year. They were having so much fun, and then decided to buy more drinks.

Mokoena then went with one of the guys to his home, so he could fetch his contribution with the intention of going to buy.

“I was surprised when he locked the door and I immediately asked why. He responded by saying ‘Just give me one round of sex, girls won’t satisfy you.’ I was so shocked because this is someone I trusted and he never gave me any sign he could do that” relates Mokoena.

A struggle then ensued between the two. Mokoena realised that she was being overpowered by the alleged perpetrator (who can’t be named until he appears in court on Monday, 6th Jan. 2013). She broke a bottle and stabbed the guy in the hand.

Later that day, she then reported the matter to the police and opened a case of attempted rape at Moroka police station.
“After being mocked and jokes made about me ‘being a woman who stabs men’ the police then accompanied me to his home to verify his address. We found his mom cleaning up the mess, and the police didn’t even say anything to her about tempering with the crime scene.”

The following day Mokoena received a call from her sister informing her that the police are looking for her and left a message that she must go to the police station.

When she arrived there she was locked up and had to wait in the police cells while the alleged perpetrator opened a case.  She was then brought out and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Friday, 3^rd Jan. 2013, she appeared in court and is out on R500 bail.
“I opened my case first but the process is moving faster in the case against me” said a frustrated Mokoena.

In a similar incident that took place in Dec. 2012, a 17 year old lesbian from Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal is facing murder charges. The teenager stabbed the man who tried to rape her. Owing to two previous rapes, the girl carried a knife “for protection” in case she ever needed to defend herself.
The murder case against her is still pending.

Previous articles by Lerato

2014 Jan. 1: Bikinis, Brains and Curves

and

2013 Dec. 6: IDEA dialogue on strategies of activism with Southern African activists

Brenda Mvula’s partner, Koketso Matlaweng in black mourning the sudden passing of her beloved supported by her aunt in a black & white top.

Where:   Acts of God Christian Church, Midrand.
When:  9th Jan. 2014
Photos by Lindeka Qampi & Zanele Muholi

Opening remarks and tribute by Programme Director, Lethabo Hazel Matlala

Pastor Musso…

Mpho Nefuri relating of the good and trying times shared with Brenda…

Bibi King, FoC co-founder speaking at the memorial…

Steve Letsike, activist and Brenda’s friend talking about how Brenda used to emphasize on ‘lesbian empowerment and progress…’

Brenda’s spiritual friend, Pule Rampa could not hold tears… of losing a dearest friend

Nomagcina Shezi, Brenda’s buddy shedding tears…

Philile Shoba, a friend who drove all the way from Durban to attend the memorial service

Nomthandazo Mankazana in a khaki dress, a facebook friend who never met Brenda in person but came to support…

Jessica represing FEW and Iranti

Nolwazi, a neighbor narrating of the times she spent with Brenda

The portrait of the late Brenda Mvula
with a beautiful smile… Gone too soon.

Devastated by the loss of a friend, Thandi Mkwinana who grew up with Brenda Mvula could not even speak for two minutes…

Pule Rampa closed the memorial with a special prayer

Matilda Maroga, giving vote of thanks to all those who supported Mvula family and partner Koketso Matlaweng

Obituary of the late Brenda Nonceba Mvula

Nonceba Brenda Mvula was born on the 2^nd July 1980 in Rietfontein-KwaRhadebe village, Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape.

During her childhood Nonceba stayed with her grandmother. She started schooling at Monwabisi Primary School and attended her secondary classes at St Mary’s Christian Boarding School in Umtata and finished high education at Wapenaar School.

At 19, she moved to Bloemfontein where she lived alone at first and later was joined by her sister.
She worked for Primi Piatti restaurant while studying for her Matric at Fame College.
She later moved to Johannesburg and continued working at Primi.
She received mentorship from Australians who taught her the ropes of life, business and the importance of education.  After completing Matric, she furthered her education and advanced to obtain a Masters of Commerce in Project Management.

She worked at Gestalt Consultant as a Project Manager and later joined the Department of Housing in 2008 – 2010 still holding the same position.
She returned home in 2012 where she spent the last months of her life.
Due to illness, she returned to Pretoria to receive medical treatment and unfortunately was called by her Creator on the 2^nd January 2014 while in hospital.
Nonceba was a strong believer in God.
She prayed with and for her friends wherever possible.
She was also a sister and mentor to many.
Nonceba is survived by her daughter, both parents, 2 sisters, 2 brothers and partner Koketso Matlaweng.

Sithi lala ngoxolo, ulufezile ugqatso!!!
Rhadebe – Bhungane – Mthikhulu
Mashiy’amahle, amade njengawenyamazane
Mafuz’afulele, njengelifulemvula
Ndebenhle zombini ezikhanyilanga
Zikode – Siba olude – Hlubi elihle
Nzipho zimnyama ngokuqhwayana!
Mashwabada, owashabadela inkomo kanyenezimpondo zayo
Ngelengele… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

The funeral service of Brenda Mvula will be held at 09h00 on  11th January 2014 in Sterkspruit, KwaRhadebe village, Eastern Cape.

by Londeka Dlamini

Ibandla lase Thekwini i-Victory Ministries International phansi kobuholi bukaMfundisi uZungu liza nezinguquko eziningi kulonyaka.
Abazalwane babukeke bethokozile ukubuya enkonzweni kwazise bekuyiSonto lokuqala kulonyaka., iqale kamnandi lapho uMvangeli uMkhize ekhuthaza ibandla ngokuthi asikhohlwe ngokwenzekile ngonyaka odlule.
Siqale kabusha kulonyaka futhi  singabanqobi, evule incwadi yabahluleli  (Judges 16:26) lapho kukhulunywa ngo Samsoni owakhishwa amehlo.

Kulindeleke ukuba kubekhona inkonzo yomgcobo mhla zingu-1 ngenyanga ezayo lapho kuyobe kugcotshwa ngokusemthethweni abefundisi ababili ebandleni uMnumzane Sbisi kanye no Mnumzane Magwaza.
Kanti-ke ibandla lonke lizwakalise enkulu intokozo ngoba sekuzoba khona abanye abefundisi besho nokuthi lokhu kukhomba ukukhula kwebandla eluwuhlobo olufana naleli  uma kwanda abefundisi njengakwamanye amabandla.
Khona manjalo uMnumzane Ndlela ofunda izimemezelo zebandla umemezele  ukuthi sebezoba nenkonzo yetende nabo beyi VMCI, itende lizomiswa endaweni yase Chesterville lizoqala ngo Lwesine kuze kube uMgqibelo kuzomenyezelwa maduze ukuthi lizoqala nini.

Impela lelibandla liwuqale kahle unyaka lokhu kuza emva kokuba ubaba uMfundisi nowakwakhe kanye no baba uMagwaza nowakwakhe besiphe ukudla kwendlebe, basiphe amanoni abamabili kodwa abantu babusiseke kakhulu ukubuka abaholi babo bebaculela.
Sibe sesiya ezwini leNkosi siliphiwa inceku uSbisi okulindeleke igcotshwe ibe ngu mfundisi, evule encwadini ka-Eksodusi 10 vrs. 8-9 lapho kukhulunywa ngo Mose no Aroni kanti-ke ingqikithi yakhe ithi sonke simelwe ukuhamba noNkulunkulu kulonyaka simkhonze kuze kube sekupheleni.

Nginifisela unyaka omuhle ogcwele izibusiso nonke balandeli be Nkanyiso!!!

Previous by Londeka

2013 Dec. 22: ”Indlela enilingwa ngayo ukuba nibizwe ngezitabane”