Tag: Johannesburg

Radio Today: As Love Sails Wisdom Captains – Happy Valentines Day

February 17, 2022

 I was invited to do a weekly series on South African Radio: Each day, the fabulously talented South African personality, Jonathan Taylor hosts his “Breakfast in Bed,” a show on Radio Today, which live streams 8:00 AM, South African time, at http://www.rt1485.com Each week Jonathan gives me a question (usually on Monday mornings) in what … More Radio Today: As Love Sails Wisdom Captains – Happy Valentines Day

Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

June 16, 2020

June 16th, 1976 seemed like just another regular coolish South African winter’s day. Frustrated by parking problems, I made my way into my law class at the mostly “white only” University of the Witwatersrand, (WITS). Little did I know where this day would lead: A fellow student ran into our class screaming that children were … More Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

August 21, 2019

The banning of the South African Apartheid Flag as a symbol of hate now historically stands in stark and judicial contrast to the LGBTQI Rainbow flag – in effect expressly ruled a symbol of love! The Black Monday protests, which flared-up in October 2017 in South Africa, forced the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SA Human … More History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

South Africa’s LGBTQ March Calling Shame on Tanzania and Uganda

November 28, 2018

It is imperative that South Africa lead the movement to decriminalize homosexuality in Africa. And two major events have occurred this past month in South Africa, in what seems to me an historic push for such leadership.  Earlier this month Johannesburg Pride took the bold move of sending an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, … More South Africa’s LGBTQ March Calling Shame on Tanzania and Uganda

Meet the Obama Foundation’s First Group of Fellows

April 16, 2018

Congratulations to the 20 Fellows chosen out of 20,000 applicants. When the Obama Foundation opened applications for the inaugural Obama Foundation Fellowship,2018, over 20,000 people from 191 countries applied. From that incredible pool, they selected 20 inaugural Fellows who represent 11 countries around the world. Welcome to the Fellows: Erin Barnes, Veronica Crespin-Palmer, Clarissa Delgado, … More Meet the Obama Foundation’s First Group of Fellows

African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

May 9, 2017

“Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right … More African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

South African Police Show no Progress in Case of Lesbian Teen Murder

April 6, 2016

A young lesbian woman, was stabbed to death on the night of her birthday in Katlehong near Johannesburg. Lucia Naido, was murdered in a suspected hate crime close to her from her home on March 19. She was found dying by her horrified mother, who ran outside when she heard her daughter’s desperate screams. It has … More South African Police Show no Progress in Case of Lesbian Teen Murder

Johannesburg Gay Murder Trial Accused Expresses Backhanded Remorse

February 12, 2015

 By Melanie Nathan, February 12, 2015. Two men involved in the murder of Professor Carl Mischke  turned on each other in court, with each blaming the other for the beating that claimed the University of Johannesburg academic’s life, during an apparent robbery.  At the time of the murder it was speculated that the Professor was … More Johannesburg Gay Murder Trial Accused Expresses Backhanded Remorse

Art In Memory of Mandela

December 5, 2014

Poignant Art Exhibition Honoring Mandela Opens on Anniversary of His Death Posted By Melanie Nathan, Dec 05, 2014. On the one-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, an exhibition curated by Natalie Knight featuring works created after Mandela’s passing on 5 December 2013, will be launched at Stephan Welz & Co. in Johannesburg. We Love Mandela: … More Art In Memory of Mandela

South African Scourge Heightens with Child dragged to Death in Hijacking

November 12, 2014

Twenty years of democracy, one of the most magnificent countries in the world, is there hope? By Melanie Nathan, November 12, 2104. Below is a mere smattering of examples of recent Hijackings in South Africa. This horrific criminal behavior has been going on for the past 20 years, since the end of Apartheid. One can … More South African Scourge Heightens with Child dragged to Death in Hijacking

South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

October 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. Johannesburg People’s Pride (JHBPP) took place in Constitution Hill on the 5th of October 2013. The theme People’s Pride indeed spoke for itself, because it embodied all kinds of People. JHBPP was not only for LGBTI people even heterosexuals were there. Lebo Mashile (poet) also graced the day with her presence. … More South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

Moving pictures as slain lesbian laid to rest amidst controversial memorial

July 14, 2013

The South African political party showing up for votes is reprimanded and words are not enough as LGBTI community screams for action By Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2013. A rainbow flag flies amidst the dust as Duduzile Zozo is laid to rest. The beloved daughter and lesbian community member from Thokoza township, Johannesburg, was remembered … More Moving pictures as slain lesbian laid to rest amidst controversial memorial

Pictures of President Obama’s Town Hall with African Youth in Soweto

July 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan. July 01, 2013. On June 29, President Obama spoke to youth audiences across Africa in a televised town hall from South Africa. U.S. Embassy Kampala – We were thrilled that a group of 10 Ugandan youth (pictured here below) joined the President live via satellite from Kampala’s NTV studio. In his remarks, … More Pictures of President Obama’s Town Hall with African Youth in Soweto

Another Lesbian Brutally raped and murdered in South Africa

July 1, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, July 01, 2013. A lesbian woman has been brutally raped with a toilet brush and murdered in what is believed to have been a hate crime in Ekurhuleni over the weekend. The half-naked body of 26-year-old Duduzile Zozo was found in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, outside of Johannesburg, on Sunday morning, in what is another … More Another Lesbian Brutally raped and murdered in 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

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

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

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

Gay Professor Murdered in Norwood | Carl Mischke More than just another number

April 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Prof C Mischke, Faculty of Law, Department of Mercantil, University of Johannesburg An accomplished Professor of law, Carl Mischke, was brutally murdered this week in Norwood, a suburb of Johannesburg where I spent my teens.  Like me he too was a member of the Johannesburg’s LGBTI community and also … More Gay Professor Murdered in Norwood | Carl Mischke More than just another number

Johannesburg Gay Pride Cancelled as Board Dissolves

April 3, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. The board of Johannesburg Gay Pride Festival Company (JGPFC) has voted to wind up the Section 21 (not-for-profit­) company that has produced ‘Joburg Pride’ over the past seven years. The voluntary winding up of JGPFC  was decided by an unanimous resolution at a board meeting held on Wednesday, 13 … More Johannesburg Gay Pride Cancelled as Board Dissolves

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

South African Court Fails to Deliver Justice in Carlton Centre Lesbian Attack

December 20, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 20, 2012. Today the Johannesburg Court handed down its judgment and sentence in  the Boniswa Mtshali case which has become known as the  Carlton Centre Case.  The accused was found guilty of physical assault with a motivation of  prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation of the women. After kissing her … More South African Court Fails to Deliver Justice in Carlton Centre Lesbian Attack

In Memoriam Carmen Nathan | Published in The International Journal of Medicine and Law

November 20, 2012

By Professor S.A. Strauss (1990) Carmen Nathan, executive editor of Medicine and Law Since 1989, suddenly died  in Mmbatho, Bophuthstwana on October 09, 1990. Her death was a severe loss to the editorial baord and left a great void in the lives of her family and her many friends and colleagues in Southern Africa, Europe, … More In Memoriam Carmen Nathan | Published in The International Journal of Medicine and Law

Remembering the late Prof. Carmen Nathan on her Birthday

November 20, 2012

 Prof. Carmen Nathan  passed away at age 56, way too young and so accomplished: “A Mother and a friend to all, whose selfless commitment to justice has imparted a legacy abundant in love, compassion and wisdom.”  by Melanie Nathan, November 20, 2012. My mother was born Carmen Keile Miller, in 1934, to Rose Shamis and … More Remembering the late Prof. Carmen Nathan on her Birthday

South African Ambassador to Uganda Jon Qwelane Hate Speech Trial Goes to High Court

August 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, August 30, 2012. Jon Qwelane,  the homophobic journalist who was appointed by President Jacob Zuma as the South African Ambassador to Uganda in exchange for political favors,  and to escape prosecution for hate speech, successfully pleaded that the Equality Court in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear … More South African Ambassador to Uganda Jon Qwelane Hate Speech Trial Goes to High Court

Occupy Oakland Protests South African Mine Massacre

August 26, 2012

PETITION: Tell Lonmin to meet workers demands for higher wages and better living conditions! See below to link. Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 24, 2012. PFA Evening News Anchor Cameron Jones:Yesterday evening, in Oakland’s Oscar Grant Plaza, the gathering place of Occupy Oakland, several hundred people rallied in solidarity with South African miners, more than … More Occupy Oakland Protests South African Mine Massacre

South African is First Openly Gay Man to be Appointed as Director of D.C. Department of Health

July 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, July 18, 2012. South African doctor’s rock – I happen to be exuberant about them because my baby brother is an accomplished pulmonary specialist in the D.C. area. But now I have even more reason to tout my pride, having a lot in common with a newly appointed  top doc. The newly … More South African is First Openly Gay Man to be Appointed as Director of D.C. Department of Health