Category: South Africa

President Obama to enagage youth all around Africa from a Soweto Campus

June 28, 2013

Vision for Africa | President Obama will engage with young African leaders from across the continent in a live broadcast event from the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus in South Africa. By Melanie Nathan, June 28, 2013. President Obama is on his way to Johannesburg, on his tour of Africa. The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) … More President Obama to enagage youth all around Africa from a Soweto Campus

South African Judge Chickens Out on Ruling in Fired Lesbian Pastor Case

June 26, 2013

Today Judge Veldhuizen ruled- or should we say barely ruled  in the case of fired Pastor Ecclesia de Lange. See our earlier articles here. The lesbian minister who was fired because of her marriage to another woman has lost her court battle to be reinstated by the Methodist Church, but the case has been reverted … More South African Judge Chickens Out on Ruling in Fired Lesbian Pastor Case

Mandela Critical

June 23, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 23, 2013. Nelson Mandela’s health has deteriorated and he is now in critical condition, the South African government said Sunday. The office of President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that he had visited the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader at a hospital Sunday evening and was informed by the medical team … More Mandela Critical

South African Lesbian photographer’s big ask of Norway’s Crown Princess

June 21, 2013

Please tell other Monarchs, especially in Africa, that being gay is OKAY By Melanie Nathan, June 21, 2013 The Crown Princess of Norway, Her Royal Highness Mette-Marit, met famed South African photographer, filmmaker and LGBTI activist Zanele Muholi recently at an exhibition of Muholi’s work in Norway. The event took place last night at the Kunstplass … More South African Lesbian photographer’s big ask of Norway’s Crown Princess

Justice delayed as reparative death camp killer has unpaid legal fees

June 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 19, 2013. Today, in Vereeniging, South Africa, the ongoing murder trial of the owner of Echo Wild Game Ranger Camp, Alex de Koker, 49, and his co-accused, Michael Erasmus (20) was postponed yet again,  due to the accused murderer’s inability to pay his legal fees resulting in the withdrawal of his … More Justice delayed as reparative death camp killer has unpaid legal fees

One Hundredth Anniversary of South Africa’s Native Land Act of 1913

June 19, 2013

And then Hello Apartheid…. By Melanie Nathan, June 19, 2013. June 19th 2013 is the 100th anniversary of the now defunct Natives Land Act, 1913 (subsequently renamed Bantu Land Act, 1913 and Black Land Act, 1913; Act No. 27 of 1913) which was an act of the Parliament of South Africa aimed at regulating the … More One Hundredth Anniversary of South Africa’s Native Land Act of 1913

P.E. Herald Publishes Hate Ad designed to intimidate Gay Community

June 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2013. UPDATED 6/13/20123. P.E. Herald took swift action in  Apologizing to the South African Gay Community for an Ad that was placed on page 3 of their print publication: “The Herald Port Elizabeth – The Herald distances itself from the contents of this advert which goes against the basic tenets … More P.E. Herald Publishes Hate Ad designed to intimidate Gay Community

Remembering Mandela’s 1962 Creative Cry to the World

June 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2013. At the time of the 1962 trial of Nelson Mandela, one of a few, South Africans who were not white, and who comprised the majority of the population, were not allowed to vote. This was because Apartheid excluded black South Africans from this basic right to equality.  When reading … More Remembering Mandela’s 1962 Creative Cry to the World

Man-Up or die murderer marries in court moments after testimony about torture he inflicted on teen

May 30, 2013

COURT ON MAY 30 – Killer De Koker (right) allowed to marry Marais, moments after testimony in the death of Raymond Buys, on life support for 2  weeks after torture at the hands of de Koker By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2013. Compare the two photos. One is the victim photographed in his hospital bed, … More Man-Up or die murderer marries in court moments after testimony about torture he inflicted on teen

Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

May 28, 2013

Accused murderer fears for his life in prison after assault By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. The trial of the Afrikaner right wing extremist, accused of murdering  a young man who was sent to his camp to “man up” commenced in Vereeniging, South Africa, yesterday and is set to continue through the next few days, … More Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

May 20, 2013

Revamping the dream for an all inclusive politicized Pride By Melanie Nathan. May 20, 2013. This Press Release passed our desk, in what seems to be a follow up to the very controversial events surrounding Johannesburg Pride over this past year and its subsequent cancellation: New Committee to Organise People’s Pride Johannesburg on 5 Oct. … More Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

May 19, 2013

A modern day David and Goliath | Rev. Ecclesia de Lange, a South African open lesbian will face her once employer and now adversary in the Cape High Court. By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2013. In 2010 when Rev de Lange announced to her congregation that she was going to marry her same-sex partner, her … More Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

May 14, 2013

AND HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE | PETITION: It is time to invigorate the sleeping SA Task Task team – we must fight the violence with transparency and a plan By Melanie Nathan,  May 14, 2013 Activists in South Africa are calling for immediate invigoration, transparency and action by the Task Team that was established to combat so … More Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

May 1, 2013

Andre Bekker, Richard Cohen and Christopher Doyle | While their modus operandi may be different to accused murderer de Koker, their ideology stinks the same stink! By Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2013. A South African, Andre Bekker, who proclaims to be an  ex-gay and an authority on converting gays,  teamed up with tired extremists in … More Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

May 1, 2013

Video report – Brutal murder of gay volunteer in South Africa – confessed accused in court and insight into the life of the murder victim by Melanie Nathan, May, 01, 2013. Thapelo Makhutle, a member and volunteer of LEGBO, was brutally murdered on 9 June 2012, and almost a year later, despite a confession from … More Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

South African lesbian community mourns another brutal township murder

April 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. In the very week when the South African LGBT community paid tribute in KwaThema to comrades fallen in violent homophobic attacks, and called for justice in the 2 year unsolved murder of Noxolo Nogwaza, another lesbian was murdered in Daveyton*, a nearby Township. The body of Patricia Mashego, 36,  … More South African lesbian community mourns another brutal township murder

Raymond Buys starved and tortured murdered by de Koker, on his death bed

Man up or die | murders of effeminate teens at South African Ranger Training Camp

April 25, 2013

Were they murdered for being gay? A picture of a beaten dying teen, a picture of a Nazi-like flag – and in between a Game Ranger Camp to make “Moffies” into men By Melanie Nathan . April 25, 2013. Look at this photograph and imagine a 15 year old effeminate teen being sent” by his mother … More Man up or die | murders of effeminate teens at South African Ranger Training Camp

Fallen lesbians and gays remembered amidst calls for justice

April 24, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2013. Today, April  24, on the two year anniversary of the brutal rape and murder of 24 year old  LGBT activist, Noxolo Nogwaza,  a day of remembrance was held at Ekhaya Center (PicknPay), Kwa-Thema, a short distance from where Noxolo’s body was found, while activists called on the South African … More Fallen lesbians and gays remembered amidst calls for justice

And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action

April 22, 2013

Please show solidarity on April 24th with Tweets and Facebook messages for Noxolo By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013 April 24, 2013 marks the two year anniversary of the brutal death of Noxolo Nogwaza.  In 2011, twenty-four year old Noxolo Nogwaza,  a South African lesbian and LGBT rights activist, the organizer of the Ekurhuleni Pride … More And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action

U.S. Fordham and University of Pretoria formalize exchange of students

April 21, 2013

Editor’s Post, April 21, 2013. Fordham and the University of Pretoria formalized their relationship with a memorandum of understanding that allows for the exchange of students and faculty, joint research, and the exchange of scientific and educational literature, the universities have announced. Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., provost and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Fordham, … More U.S. Fordham and University of Pretoria formalize exchange of students

Trial date set for 3 Accused in Murder of South African Gay Man

April 18, 2013

As more killings of Gay men continue to plague the area By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013 Three men, believed to be part of a gang targeting gay men in a series of murders were arrested, charged and now a trial date has been set in the murder of gay man Barney van Heerden, from … More Trial date set for 3 Accused in Murder of South African Gay Man

Gay Professor Ninth Victim of South African Serial Murders of Gay Men

April 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Norwood – South African press is reporting that  a University of Johannesburg professor of law, might be the ninth victim in a series of serial murders of gay men. The latest victim is Dr Carl Mischke, 47, whose body was discovered on Monday morning, laying on his bed, face … More Gay Professor Ninth Victim of South African Serial Murders of Gay Men

South African Government condemns attacks on gays as custom and constitution clash

April 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 14, 2013. The ANC South African government on Saturday condemned all forms of violence against homosexuals following the assault of a gay man in a Cape Town township.  However one incident used to spark the warnings involved aspects of custom that may without education continue to be the root cause of … More South African Government condemns attacks on gays as custom and constitution clash

South African Arts Academy guilty of human rights violations by claiming gay cure

April 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 09, 2013. In January we reported that an Arts School in Bloemfontein, South Africa, claimed in its prospectus that it could cure homosexual students. We reported that a “South African Christian arts academy, Creare Training Centre may be breaking the law by advertising that it can “cure” homosexual students, and that … More South African Arts Academy guilty of human rights violations by claiming gay cure

South Africa’s newest political party against homophobia | Agang

March 9, 2013

“But again we haven’t educated people to understand that being orientated sexually in a particular way is not a crime,”  Mamphela Ramphele, By Melanie Natha. March 09, 2013. South Africa is a democratic country with one party that dominates the state.  The African National Congress (ANC), has been holding power, with wide margins, since the … More South Africa’s newest political party against homophobia | Agang

No Justice for Thandiswa Qubuda as Rape capital South Africa releases gang of rapists with no bail

February 27, 2013

The high incidence of rape in South Africa has yet to see protests on the scale of that experienced in India. After all if the statistics are one in four women raped – how many men are there left to protest? Most are perpetrators.By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2013. UPDATED: Reports that Thandiswa Qubuda Passed … More No Justice for Thandiswa Qubuda as Rape capital South Africa releases gang of rapists with no bail

Ugandan Speaker Kadaga speaks out on violence against women at Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference

February 20, 2013

Are lesbians not women too? CALLING SPEAKER OUT IN AFRICA AS A HYPOCRITE by Melanie Nathan, February 20, 2013. Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature hosts the fifth Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ (CWP) Africa Region conference8 Feb 2013. Delegates and observers of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association attended a the Commonwealth Women Parliamentary (CWP) Conference,  in East London, South … More Ugandan Speaker Kadaga speaks out on violence against women at Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference