Promise & Gift featuring in Of Love & Loss attended the exhibition opening at Stevenson gallery…
Photos by Bongi Thekwane Mpisholo, Collen Mfazwe & Mzonke Madotyeni.
14th Feb. 2014
Cameras used: Canon 5d and 6d
Where: Wits Art Museum and Stevenson Gallery, Braamfontein. Johannesburg.
PRINS CLAUS AWARD CEREMONY
VENUE: Wits Art Museum
EXHIBITION LAUNCH OF ZANELE MUHOLI’S
of LOVE & LOSS
VENUE: STEVENSON ART GALLERY
DATE: 14 FEBRUARY 2014
In times of increasingly homophobic legislation enacted by African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana; and in a climate of intolerance towards homosexuals in the Western world, South Africa distinguishes itself with a Constitution that recognizes same-sex marriages; yet the black LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community is plagued by rampant hate crimes.
Black lesbians are particularly vulnerable and are regularly victims of brutal murders and ‘curative rapes’ at the hand of neighbours and ‘friends’.
Despite 20 Years of Democracy, in his STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS
(13 February 2014), President Jacob Zuma failed to acknowledge issues of Homosexuality, despite the alarming homophobic incidents and callous murders of the LGBTI community and the countries Constitutional obligation.
Therefore, Zanele Muholi’s work becomes a socio-political mirror and the voice of LGBTI Communities – Visual Activism at this harsh period.
ABOUT THE PRINS CLAUS AWARDS and LOVE AND LOSS EXHIBITION
The Prins Claus Awards are presented annually to individuals and organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean for their outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development.
In 2013 the Prins Claus International committee recognized Zanele Muholi with the high international award for her contribution in her revolutionary cultural and artistic work. Its been a positive impact in Culture and Development in the context of South African representation/s of the LGBTI communities plight to equality. It is also the documentation of the black queer beauty and existence in claiming the mainstream spaces which previously and currently displaces LGBTI Individuals in South African Society.
On a global scale, Muholi is 1 of 11 global laureates, and the first black lesbian from Africa to receive this prestigious award. In a closed ceremony that will be attended by an Amsterdam ambassador, Ms Fariba Derakshani, whom will also give a key note today, 14th February 2014 at Wits Art Museum, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
This will be followed by her solo exhibition launch of LOVE & LOSS. Which she has been documenting from 2013. Through her camera lenses, she has captured weddings and funerals in the black LGBTI community in South Africa to represent the joyful and painful events that often seem to go hand in hand. The show features photographs, video works and an installation highlighting how manifestations of sorrow and celebration bear similarities and are occasions to underline the need for a safe space to express individual identities.
As Muholi writes:
Ayanda and Nhlanhla Moremi’s wedding in Katlehong took place four months after Duduzile Zozo was murdered in Thokoza.
Promise Meyer and Gift Sammone’s wedding in Daveyton took place on 22 December 2013in Daveyton, 15 days after Maleshwane Radebe was buried in Ratanda.
Six months earlier, Ziningi and Delisile Ndlela were married in Chesterville, Durban.
Many in the area attended the ceremony, blessed the newlywed couple and prayed for them and their children.
We long for such blessings as we continue to read about the trials and tribulations that LGBTI persons experience in their churches, where homosexuality is persecuted. In 2014, when South African democracy celebrates its 20 years, it seems more important than ever to raise again our voices against hate crimes and discriminations imposed on the black LGBTI community.
The exhibition includes a series of documented weddings and funerals, autobiographical images, intimate portraits of Muholi and her partner taken during their travels. A tender counterpoint to the tension still generated in South Africa today by same-sex and interracial relationships.
Of LOVE & LOSS exhibition will open shortly after the awards ceremony on Friday 14 February, from 7.30 to 9.30pm and will run until 4 April 2014 at the Stevenson Gallery, Braamfontein.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Muholi was born in Umlazi, Durban. Currently lives and work in Johannesburg.
In 2013 Muholi was the recipient of the Fine Prize for an emerging artist at the Carnegie International, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
In 2013, was made Honorary Professor of the University of the Arts/Hochschule für Künste Bremen; won the Index on Censorship – Freedom of Expression art award in London and was named as one of Foreign Policy’s Global Thinkers of 2013.
Muholi’s Faces and Phases series was included on the South African Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale, Imaginary Fact: South African art and the archive (2013),
on Documenta 13 in 2012, and on the 29th São Paulo Biennale in 2010.
Muholi work is currently on view at Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg as part of Queer and Trans Art-iculations, a joint exhibition with Gabrielle Le Roux
(until 30 March); has solo exhibitions at the Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA (until 27 April) and Wentrup Gallery, Berlin
(till 28 February), and an upcoming show at the Schwules Museum,
Berlin (21 March to 9 June).
ISSUED BY: Aluta Humbane/Yaya Mavundla
CELL: 071 450 5879/0842211917
EMAIL: alutahumbane@yahoo.com or yayamavundla@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.inkanyiso.org
| ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS
STEVENSON ARTS GALLERY
ADDRESS: WEBSITE: jhb@stevenson.info TELEPHONE: +27 (0)11 403 1055/1908 F +27 (0)86 275 1918 WITS MUSEUM OF ARTS ADDRESS: University Corner, Corner Bertha (extension of Jan Smuts Avenue) and Jorissen Streets, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. DIRECTIONS: By car From M1 S and M1 N, take Jan Smuts Avenue off-ramp. Travel south on Jan Smuts Ave towards the Nelson Mandela Bridge. The Museum is located 3 blocks before the bridge, on the corner of Jorissen Street. It is diagonally across the road from artist Clive van Berg’s Eland sculpture and adjacent to Trinity Church. By Rea Vaya WAM is on the turquoise Chancellor House to Johannesburg Art Gallery route. The closest stop is on the corner of Jorissen and Station Streets. The stop is the same block as the Museum. By Metrobus The Metrobus stop is in front of Pick ‘n Pay in Jorissen Street. The stop is in the block across the road from WAM.
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by Betesta Segale
My name is Betesta Segale. I am a 31 years old trans man.
I am a LGTBI activist, a writer and a communicator.
I have always found it easy to interact and be open with people. In my spare time, I play football.
I am interested in tourism so I watch a lot of documentaries. I also enjoy watching movies.
I was born into a family of six: three brothers and two sisters. My eldest brother passed on in 2000 and my mother passed on in 2004.
I currently live with my sister in Lobatse, a town in which I was born. It is in the Southern District of Botswana.
In 2013, I earned a Diploma in the Accounting Programme, through the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Professionals. I still have an outstanding level but because of financial restraints, I have not been able to finish it.
In 2011, while living in South Africa, I studied online Community Journalism for Beginners, which was offered by the Department of Communication Science at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
I had to relocate back to Botswana and that caused me to miss writing the examination and have no certificate for it yet.
I am currently unemployed but I used to sell t-shirts, caps and watches but because of financial difficulty I had to stop. I do plan on selling again because my customers are clamouring for them.
I do not plan to be in this situation for ever. I want to be an independent person, a leader, and especially a writer. I have a burning desire to write articles and stories about LGBTI people in Botswana and Africa. I want my writing to advocate, sensitize and shine some light on the struggles and successes of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgendered and Intersex (LGBTI) peoples in Africa.
My gender identity is male and my sexual orientation is heterosexual. I use the word ‘rra’ which means ‘he’ to identify myself. To me, it means I am just like any other man who is attracted to women. I have been in a relationship with a female partner for a year and three months now. We currently do not live together. She stays with her family. I consider it a long distance relationship but we see each other almost every weekend.
My family knows of our relationship and my partner’s select family members are aware that I am a cisgender male. They are happy for her as long as she is happy. I think that no one can live without love. I learnt that even the smallest things come out of love and that there would not be anything in the world without it e.g. buildings, clothes, food, etc. At the base of all good things is love.
In keeping with that thought, I feel that everyone should be free to love who they want to. I have no problems with any of it. I have friends who are in same sex relationships and I treat them same as any other human being. I respect and do not judge them for their preference, to be same sex and same gender loving people. I believe there is no one who can change what one loves.
There are many challenges that I as a person face every day. I get stared at all the time and I am always asked to identify myself everywhere I go. There are things which challenge me that others may not necessarily be aware of, like using public toilets, getting into the club and getting a job. All this is because of how I choose to identity. My papers show that I am a female but my physical appearance shows that I am a man.
In my hometown of Lobatse, I find that my community is fine with my gender identity.
They have seen my self-acceptance, self-respect and self-confidence of my gender identity. My hometown folk offer me more respect than outsiders who come in and are always asking about my gender identity. I do not feel that I am in immediate danger but I feel protected by other cisgender men that I hang around with.
South Africa feels different and you see rampant hate crimes, homo and transphobia because, in my opinion, the population is vast and there are so many different cultural beliefs and views. Though homosexuality is legalised, there are higher rates of rapes of lesbians in South Africa than in Botswana where it is illegal.
If I ever get the opportunity to be a leader, politician, radio host or TV presenter I would create a platform where I will engage with government officials and private sector so that they understand the issues affecting the LGBTI community.
The main issues would be; equality on dress codes, health rights equality for transgendered persons and public toilet setups.
The current dress code is a stumbling block to some sexual minorities and gender minorities in Botswana.
Most transgendered people in Botswana are denied the right to health due to their gender identity. I would also want public toilets to have the third unspecified toilet for gender non-conforming people.
That advocacy work will be backed by the many workshops and training sessions that I have attended and have informed my view. I am saddened by the fact that I have learned so much but I have not been able to parlay it into employment and still rely on someone else to support me. My sister is my shoulder to cry on when I am feeling particularly despondent.
Some of the workshops I have attended are:
I am hopeful that one day I will be able to put all that I have learned into practice.
I am proud to have had the opportunity to learn all this. I dream to write more stories that concern LGBTI issues in Botswana and Africa.
It was worthwhile for me to participate in Faces and Phases in 2010. I met Zanele Muholi through a friend when the photo shoot was organised in Gaborone and Johannesburg.
I hope that the viewers of the photographs will get to know me a little better and that this article will help some closet trans people to come out to the light!
Betesta Segale, Gaborone, Botswana, 2010.
Both photos are featuring in Faces and Phases by Zanele Muholi
Related articles
2014 Jan.9: “Enforcing my existence!”
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’
and
2013 Oct. 12: I just feel she deserves much better
and
2013 Aug. 13: Love Transcends and Love Prevails
and
2013 July 15: The virus has become a silent relative
and
2013 April 21: Living a legacy is always better than leaving a legacy
and
2013 April 16: Not just a handsome butch lesbian
and
2013 Sept. 22: Stop this is hurting me…
and
2013 March 10: ”I love women and they love me”
and
2013 February 28: I am not a Victim but a Victor…
Translated by Christie FossilSoul
Edited by Fikile Mazambani
On Saturday, 1 February 2014, the congregation of Victory Ministries Church International (VMCI) in Durban witnessed the ordaining of new pastors – a ceremony they had waited for with bated breath. This was no ordinary ceremony you see, it was a change of guard as openly gay ministers were being ordained and it was just an incredibly powerful and inclusive moment.
Pastor Zungu, who is highly respected, spoke to the congregation of VMCI about being active and supportive during the ordination of gay pastors Bonisile Magwaza and Skhumbuzo Sbisi. Zungu emphasized the importance of coming together and recognizing this incredible moment and the growth it speaks to. A lot of clergy attended this ceremony and amongst them was Pastor Nokuthula Dhladhla who came from the Free State province, who is also in a same sex marriage.
“When my husband was ordained, the church had not yet expanded so much, therefore I wish for this service to be a well-spoken of so that the nation can see that a congregation of this nature is able to do good things” urged Pastor Zungu. This was in reference to the fact that a lot of churches speak against same sex relationships and that the onus was now on church members to demonstrate to the rest of the world that God is all loving and all inclusive. A pastor from another church requested to pray for Pastor Zungu and her family, that they may have guidance and go from strength to strength in delivering God’s Word.
Pastor Dhladhla, conducted Sunday services after the ordination ceremony and made people aware of the strides that had been made in the church. She spoke of how she had managed to overcome not only the church’s long standing tradition of ordaining men only but of her same sex relationship as well. She introduced her partner, Nokuthula, and spoke affectionately of her. She also spoke to the congregation about the importance of knowing who one is and standing firm in that truth.
If you would also like to be a part of VMCI, please visit the church at the Diakonia Centre in Durban.
Related articles
2014 Feb. 5: Love Conquers All
Translated from
by Amogelang Senokwane
Growing up, we were always told that charity begins at home. What you were taught at home is what we exhibit to the outside world. The church is of God and it is supposed to teach the highest tenet which is love.
The church is our family just like our blood family and we learn how to live through it.
How then is it that the church is preaching a message of fear?
Pastors and fellow Christians are supposed to epitomize love by living and preaching love, but what comes out of some of their mouths looks and sounds like hate and condemnation.
It makes one resent the church and end up fearful of God. Grim language that tells us we will burn in hell for being homosexuals has created this image of God being a monster.
Instead of us embracing the Word and moving towards God’s counsel, we are terrified and running away.
In Uganda, Nigeria and other African countries and beyond that have deemed homosexuality to be unnatural and thus illegal, our brothers and sisters are being persecuted; jailed, stoned, burned and even put to death. Systemic laws have been put in place for these government mandated murders to happen because ‘it is the law’.
As if that was not enough, some families rejoice in these outcomes.
It behooves one to think that a mother, father, sister, brother or friend can watch their loved one go through an unthinkable and painful process just for being themselves?
How do they sleep at night when they speak with forked tongues?
We are taught that God is love and that we should all aim to be that kind of love. We however experience so much hate.
The late President Nelson Mandela so eloquently stated “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, then they can be taught to love, for love comes naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Previous by Amo
2013 Aug. 22: Am exactly where I’m supposed to be
On 2nd Jan.2014, the LGBTI community heard of the sudden passing of Brenda ‘the hustler’ Mvula.
A week later, 9th Jan. 2014 a memorial service was held by friends to commemorate her life at Act Church in Midrand.
The 11th Jan. 2014 came and she was buried in Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape.
Only a handful of people from Joburg and Pretoria attended the funeral.
They mourned alongside the family…
This album contains photos from Brenda’s funeral…
Photos by Lindeka Qampi (2014/01/11)
Related links
2014 Jan.9: Brenda Mvula’s Memorial Service
2014 Jan. 10: Opulence at the memorial service of Brenda “the hustler”
and
2014 Jan. 27: If I only had five minutes…
Prepared by Wits Art Museum (WAM)
This talkabout is part of ‘Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative Art for Social Change’ exhibition.
Other important dates are:
15 February 12h00
Family TALKABOUT with Leigh Blanckenberg
22 February 12h00
Artist TALKABOUT with Zanele Muholi
Exhibition facilitators will be available on Wed-Sun 10h00-16h00
Exhibition dates: January 30 – March 30, 2014
Related links
Portfolio #2
by Charmain Carrol
Previous by CC.
2013 Dec. 15: Photos from the funeral of the recently murdered lesbian in Ratanda
More to come…
 | lindiwedhlamini on Let’s go back to the drawing b… |
 | inkanyiso2009 on 6th January 2013: Victory Mini… |
 | Nondlela mjomle on 6th January 2013: Victory Mini… |
 | Elton on 2013 Aug. 27: Because I a… |
 | Nomthandazo Ngwenya on LGBTI Destiny First Gathe… |
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