The group
The group during their walk in Langa in March 2023. This was the first-ever pride walk in the history of the township.
The gathering was quite small and the local community was not informed, however, it was still a very big first step in gaining confidence within the group to go on with their quest.
Instagram: @group_ofcoolqueers
Fundi
Fundi radiates warmth, greeting everyone with a soft smile and hug. They/he/she are often the first face that visitors to Langa see, as their/his/her position involves connecting student volunteers to organisations within Langa. Fundi is non-binary, and their/his/her pronouns are fluid, changing daily depending on the energy they are embodying that day.
Fundi lives with their/his/her partner in Langa and have recently begun to take a serious look at what the future may hold for them.
Simphiwe and Prince
Simphiwe and Prince have been dating for two years. Simphiwe exudes vibrant energy. He is a musician and a black belt in karate. He is an aspiring activist, but struggles with his conservative nature and wanting to push boundaries and ruffle feathers.
Prince’s first words to me were: “I’m Prince. I’m gay, and I’m Christian.” Prince is confident in his identities, and worries very little about others’ opinions. He is a performer in every meaning of the word, strutting through daily life.
His family, unlike the others, has been very mindful of him being gay. Except for his grandma, who he still has lively discussions with about being “different” around the kitchen table.
Mbasa
Mbasa is a queer, black storyteller born in Butterworth, Eastern Cape.
“Sexuality was always taboo growing up. It was something people were reluctant to talk about. It wasn’t until university that the topic became more personal for me”.
Mbasa moved around quite a lot in South Africa and lives now close to Langa where a lot of her friends live.
When she is in the city, seeing people live free amazes her. As a result, she wants to create spaces like that in the future. Spaces to just be.
Yonela
Yonela is a storyteller and filmmaker, and has created a short documentary entitled “My Transgender Life”, depicting the life of his friend in Langa who is openly transgender.
Yanella
Yanella is in her mid 30’s and has been involved with queer activist groups for a long time. She is confident, and ready to take on any new projects that benefit the queer community.
Olwethu
Olwethu, better known as Ndingumntu which translates to “I am human” is creatively driven and fueled by humankind. They express themselves in many forms i.e. music and ceramic artworks. As a child, unaware of gender dynamics, allowed them the freedom of exploration and helped them to not see gender. Later, as they entered high school, this quickly faded into a form of internalised homophobia. Only recently has Olwethu begun to embrace their queerness and grapple with their past.
Craig
Craig is a young community leader and activist. Part of his passion and career is being a medical traditional practitioner. In respect of his cultural background, he lives to serve and protect gay initiates in the bush, a journey where young boys are sent to the bush as part of participating in an ancient cultural tradition of initiation into manhood.
He believes that where he is and what he does is what he was called out in the world to do/be.