HOW CIVIL IS OUR UNION?

There is no connection between the law and the people.Today’s 10th-year anniversary of the Civil Union Act is bittersweet for any activist advocating for human rights, especially for the LGBTI community. Hate crimes have continued unabated. Lesbian women raped and beaten up.

South Africa became the first country in the world to use its Constitution to protect the rights of the LGBTI community. And we should say thanks to Simon Nkoli, Bev Ditsie and others who, during apartheid, still fought for sexual minorities. They fought a long, layered and complicated battle. These achievements are on paper. Society is still very resistant and life is still not easy for gay and lesbian people.

It was never going to be easy with leaders like President Jacob Zuma and Mmusi Maimane. Zuma had to apologise for his homophobic comments, while Maimane had to clarify his comments on whether he thought gay people are sinners.

We have conservative leaders. Sometimes their beliefs border on being very primitive. That’s why you still hear men saying women should not wear mini-skirts because it’s provocative. That’s why you still see people being okay with a leader randomly referring to women as “Ntombazana” with a suggestive tone. Treating people with dignity is a requirement by law, but we still see dignity being stripped off people. Let me not get off the topic.

The Civil Union Act is enjoyed by resourced members of the LGBTI community. If you don’t command enough social power as a gay man or lesbian woman, you are unlikely to enjoy the fruits of our progressive Constitution. Most of the hate crimes take place in poor areas. We’ve heard stories of police making a mockery of lesbian women who wanted to report rape or attempted rape. Poor Black bodies in the LGBTI community are vulnerable and can only dream of planning a wedding and finding a willing marriage officer who will officiate and get them married without a hustle.

LGBTI issues are never mainstream because they don’t make business sense for the media. You still have heteronormative adverts and portrayal of family life. The only time you find a story about gay or lesbian people is when it sells the newspapers or gives TV news channels good ratings. Basically gay and lesbian people are there to only create a gaze or become some sort of exhibition for the “normal” people. There are good attempts by people like Thami Kotlolo who has been organizing the Chevrolet Feather Awards for about 8 years now. Even that has not made headway in getting most of the “celebrities” to be ambassadors and advocates of LGBTI rights. When it’s done it’s more for publicity than it is done as the right thing to do.

Heterosexual celebrities use LGBTI people for posture and to achieve goals only known to them. Openly gay celebrities use their “gayness” to make a living. People will say “I love his personality”. But my position is, we don’t “gay” for a living. We don’t “lesbian” for a living. If I am not flamboyant, but gay, I would not cut it as something mainstream media uses to represent all gay people. These are some of the things that stand in the way of progress for sexual minorities. It forms part of the reason why the Civil Union Act means nothing to most people in the LGBTI community.

I would like to highlight that the institution that we all grew up viewing as refuge is also complicit in perpetuating hate for the LGBTI community. The church still dishes out conditions to gay and lesbian people before they can be members or even leaders.  The Catholic Church, even under the most progressive Pope, will not accept the LGBTI community. What’s the point of being a member of the congregation but do not enjoy the same privileges as heterosexual fellow congregants? Archbishop Emeritus Tutu’s daughter had to choose between the church and being gay. Really?

Lastly, the LGBTI community and its lobby groups also need to do something about the mess that we are in. I never hear of any LGBTI group taking part in broader community activities. We mostly focus on what our funders want us to do. We must join other civil society movements and act like part of society. We must get rid of “we don’t get involved in politics” attitude and join in causes that will integrate us. At this point we are alienated because we want people to learn about us, when we do nothing for their advancement.  We may argue that our HIV/Aids campaigns are for everyone. But there are things we do in our campaigns that do not make everyone feel like joining in.

I am not sure what it is. 

Tribute to Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo

It actually took a strange event for me to realise that we should not wait for people's demise before we honour them. My partner got what we call a "visa" to go out and party till very late. When he came back home, I could not fall asleep. When this happens I usually raid the fridge, make a snack and read a book. But Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo had been on my mind ever since another musical talent, Sidwell Mhlongo revived Prof. Khumalo's gem. Ushaka. This was in itself an honour to South Africa's living legend. The 2015 grand performance by Gauteng Choristers, under Mhlongo's baton was, for me a call to introspect and recognise all the great things that still make this country a great place. 

As a classical music lover, I take it upon myself to elevate and pay homage to South African greats in this genre of music. There are many others like MM Moerane, JSP Motuba, JP Mohapeloa, Podu Mamabolo, TL Tsambo. The list is long and their work and contribution to our society is immeasurable. At this time, Prof. Khumalo stands out because of what he was able to do with something that represents some of the violent times in the history of our country. The rule of King Shaka as documented by European historians, was not always a great one, especially for his subjects. However, in the music of Prof. Khumalo about The Zulu King, one is able to find a sense of pride. The lessons on heritage and a sense of belonging are also key factors that embody the creativity in which this history is documented. Thank you Mntungwa and we give thanks to God and to your ancestors; Nin' enadl'umuntu nimyenga ngendaba. Mantungwa aluhlaza! 

It was through Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo that I got to know some of the great singers in South Africa. The people till this day, I still associate with choral music. Sibongile Khumalo, Sibongile Mngoma, Themba Mkhwane. I learned that loving classical music was not weird or unusual. Prof. Khumalo was the window to the outside world. A world with people like me who love this craft. Growing up in a Lutheran home with parents and siblings active in church, choral music became my main reason to stay safe in church. It was the only place where I could live my passion. The passion inspired by the Salvation Army choir Prof. Khumalo conducted on TV every Sunday evening. As I grew up to be more independent, I never missed the Annual Mass Choir Festival at the Standard Bank Arena. Prof. Khumalo, Richard Cock and Danny Pooe were conductors of the mass choir. It was also my first experience listening to a live orchestra. A feeling that I still cannot explain up to today. 

I could write a whole book about my love for music and the legends of choral music in this country of ours. Khabi Mngoma and George Mxadana are among those who kept the candle burning even when strong winds blew their way. Black excellence during their time was unimaginable. Few mastered it. Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo forms a great part of the foundation of my passion for music. May he be blessed with comfort, good health and a legacy that lives on for generations. 

Photo Credit: AfriClassic