I believe in the transformative power of storytelling to educate and change lives for the better. As a passionate storyteller, I am particularly excited to share the inspiring story of Simon Nkoli with the LGBTQIA community. Despite having studied at Wits and Rhodes University, I only discovered Simon Nkoli’s remarkable contributions to South Africa’s liberation movement later in my adult life. Learning about his journey from a student activist to organizing the continent’s first pride march was profoundly moving and brought me to tears.
This emotional reaction stemmed from the realization that queer people are seldom depicted as heroes of the nation. Instead, we are often portrayed as the butt of jokes or as individuals to be feared. These negative representations can have deeply damaging effects on young queer individuals, leading them to internalize harmful stereotypes and suffer in silence. By highlighting stories like Simon Nkoli’s, we can challenge these narratives and inspire a new generation with positive and empowering representations of LGBTQIA heroes.
Hopes and Dreams That Sound Like Yours: Stories of Queer Activism in Sub-Saharan Africa
In Hopes and Dreams, edited by Welcome Mandla Lishivha, 20 human rights defenders from across the continent share their activist journeys and reveal what inspires their fight for LGBTQI+ equality. Some are deeply personal stories of self-discovery and acceptance. Others chart the challenges LGBTQI+ rights groups face in discriminatory environments. All carry messages of hope and dreams for a better tomorrow.
Looking through Papa De’s queer lens of defiance and resilience
Papa De is an African queer photographer who is defying homophobia by capturing the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community through their lens while highlighting the challenges they face and their urgent need for support and protection.
Writing
Uganda’s anti-gay bill sparks a surge in homophobia, media censorship and mob attacks
LGBTQ people in Uganda are under siege by a government that seems determined to stamp out sexual minorities, helped along by propaganda peddled by right-wing American evangelists.
Homophobia and the police: Queer Folk, We are on Our Own
‘Those meant to be my protectors chose to be my abusers instead. The police don’t believe in the justice and dignity of queer people; no wonder we have not seen justice for the brutal hate crimes committed against the queer community.’ Welcome Mandla Lishivha describes his encounters with the police as he tries to get protection against his abuser.
Remembering Simon Nkoli’s Mother, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Nkoli, born on 7 October 1939, died on 24 November 2023. She was the mother of anti-apartheid activist Simon Tseko Nkoli, who was among those charged in the Delmas Treason Trial which ran from 1985 to 1988. Simon fought to ensure that gay rights were enshrined in our Constitution. He died of Aids in 1988. Welcome Lishihva met the activist’s mother while conducting research for Philip Miller’s Nkoli: The Vogue-Opera which premiered at the Market Theatre last month.
Publicity & Research
South Africa’s ‘Vogue Opera’ honours life of gay anti-apartheid activist Nkoli
South African anti-apartheid and gay activist Simon Nkoli, who organised Africa’s first Pride march in 1990, died 25 years ago but a group of artists inspired by him are determined to keep his legacy alive in an opera celebrating his life.
Nkoli: The Vogue Opera – the making of a musical about a queer liberation activist in South Africa
The history of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid(separatist white minority rule) is taught only through the broadest of brushstrokes in the country’s schools. So might music be a way to bring the story of one anti-apartheid activist alive for a new generation? And when that activist is a Black gay man, Simon Nkoli (1957-1998), how do you reclaim his story from the stereotypes all of those labels potentially carry?
Anthology Editing