Tag: South Africa

South African Government Launches Historic Program to Attack Homophobia

April 30, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2014. Back in 2011, when South Africa was exposed internationally for horrific amount of rapes and murders perpetrated on the lesbian community in so called “corrective” or “Curative” rape attacks, Minister Jeff Radebe was taken to task, and now some years later the climate may be set for change. This … More South African Government Launches Historic Program to Attack Homophobia

Protest at South African Embassy in D.C. Slams Zuma for Failing on Gay Rights

April 17, 2014

Zuma is seen as condoning the new homophobic laws of Uganda, while assaulting the principles of South Africa’s Constitution. By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2014. Today a group of American activists targeted the South African Embassy in Washington D.C., to protest President Jacob Zuma’s recent comments that he supports the Ugandan Governments sovereign right to … More Protest at South African Embassy in D.C. Slams Zuma for Failing on Gay Rights

Ruling South African Party Blocks Motion Condemning Uganda for Anti-Gay Bill

February 25, 2014

Silence = death! Shame on South Africa’s President Zuma and the ruling ANC Party. By Melanie Nathan, February 25, 2014. The South African Government has yet to come out with a definitive stand, condemning Uganda for its anti-Homosexuality Bill. South Africa, has an all inclusive full equality constitution which includes LGBTI people. The country is … More Ruling South African Party Blocks Motion Condemning Uganda for Anti-Gay Bill

Doctors Place an Ad in Ugandan Press Declaring Anti-Homosexuality Bill a Threat to Public Health

February 9, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Feb 09, 2014. In the continued controversial drama of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill,  an open letter appeared this week in a Uganda newspaper, sponsored by more than 60 doctors and eight organizations, in the context of President Museveni’s inquiry on homosexuality, as to whether or not it is an abnormality worthy … More Doctors Place an Ad in Ugandan Press Declaring Anti-Homosexuality Bill a Threat to Public Health

Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

January 23, 2014

Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative Art for Social Change | Zanele Muholi and Gabrielle Le Roux Posted by Melanie Nathan, January, 23, 2014. The Wits Art Museum, ( The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) in partnership with Wits Centre for Diversity Studies and Inkanyiso, is proud to announce the exhibition Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative … More Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

Magnificent Gay Marriage South African Style

December 24, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 24, 2013. Our friends at Inkanyiso have done it again. Recording every aspect and extreme, with amazing visuals, from the worst sadness to the ultimate joy, here is an exciting report by Yaya Mavundla. This was all about love and with given names like “Promise” and “Gift” all was perfect for … More Magnificent Gay Marriage South African Style

Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Township

December 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2013. Maleshwane Radebe died from a stab wound to her neck after she and her girlfriend were attacked and robbed in their  East Rand township  shack in Ratanda. Charl Blignaut who blogged this at City Press has spent time with Inkanyiso, the visual activists documenting the ever-growing number of rapes … More Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Township

President Barack Obama pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

December 10, 2013

Yesterday in Johannesburg, President Obama joined leaders from the United States and around the world at a national memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela. In President Obama’s remarks, he reflected on what Mandela meant to him personally, as well as to the people of South Africa, and urged all of us to … More President Barack Obama pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

December 8, 2013

Songs and prayers in all religious congregations all over South Africa | “As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, its become the central task that we reflect on what needs to be done to sustain his legacy to ensure we do not betray what he and other sacrificed for and stood for” former President … More South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

November 27, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 27, 2013 A South African man has received a 22-year sentence for the ‘corrective’ rape of a lesbian.  Andile Ngcoza, a man with a long history of violent crime, raped Millicent Gaika from Gugulethu to “show her she was a woman” by impregnating her. OBLOGDEE reported extensively (see links below) on the Millicent … More South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

South Africa Mall Collapses Traps 40 Construction Workers

November 19, 2013

BBC Reports that two people have died and about 40 are feared trapped after a roof collapsed at the construction site of a South African shopping mall, paramedics say. Rescue teams are working in the dark to find those beneath the rubble at the site in Tongaat, north of Durban. Crisis Medical, an emergency service … More South Africa Mall Collapses Traps 40 Construction Workers

South Africans want to Ban Melissa Bachman the Lion Killer

November 16, 2013

Show presenter Melissa Bachman slammed after posting photo of lion she killed in South Africa  By Melanie Nathan, November 16, 2013, 5:14 AM “Bachman posted a smiling picture of herself with a dead lion in front of her, gushing about her ‘incredible hunting day.’ Her enthusiasm was not shared by thousands of others, who signed … More South Africans want to Ban Melissa Bachman the Lion Killer

WANTED | Names and Faces of Russian Criminals who Tortured South African Student

November 8, 2013

SA student perceived as Gay tortured by Russian gangsters known as Occupy Pedophile who are given Impunity by Vladimir Putin and his homophobic regime #WANTED Let us #OUT these criminals so the world knows who they are. By Spreading this Article around we are showing the faces of the cowardly Russian criminals who lure and … More WANTED | Names and Faces of Russian Criminals who Tortured South African Student

South African Student Tortured by Putin’s Anti-Gay Thugs

November 5, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 05, 2013. We have been reporting for some time the attacks of young people, including students, who are lured through the internet, by anti-LGBT, neo-Nazi and ultra-nationalists groups in Russia. We have also been reporting that these groups have gained strength and increased their attacks on young gay (LGBT) people or … More South African Student Tortured by Putin’s Anti-Gay Thugs

Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

October 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. According to Sapa, police in Gauteng, South Africa have confirmed that a 22-year-old man was arrested in Tokoza in connection with the horrific and brutal murder of a young lesbian, Duduzile Zozo. The man is scheduled to appear for charges, in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday, according … More Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

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

Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

October 1, 2013

View Moving Pictures By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013. Despite its all inclusive constitution, declaring full equality for all South Africans, including gays, lesbians, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, and despite the independence of its judiciary system, South Africa’s LGBTI community still suffers extreme homophobia and it’s LGBTI refugee community suffers Xenophobia in addition to … More Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

October 1, 2013

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Eleanor Holmes Norton revisit their part in the Anti-Apartheid movement at the unveiling of the Mandela Statue in Washington D.C. By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013 A statue commemorating former South African President Nelson Mandela was unveiled last week at an historic ceremony in front of the South African Embassy in … More Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

September 17, 2013

ZANELE MUHOLI | VISUAL ACTIVISM AND BLACK LESBIAN VISIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2013. Award winning South African lesbian artist and activist Zanele Muholi will appear with her works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to discuss her visual activism, her work with the queer media collective Inkayiso, her … More Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

Ambassador to Uganda Qwelane still running from the law

August 29, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 28, 2013 The hate speech case against homophobic journalist Jon Qwelane is set to continue to drag on into its sixth year without finality, notes South African site, MambaOnline: In addition, Qwelane will be challenging the constitutionality of the Equality Act, under which he was convicted, in an effort to … More Ambassador to Uganda Qwelane still running from the law

As UN Launches Free and Equal Campaign Tutu speaks love and Mugabe death to Gays

July 26, 2013

We can try and change the tide of hate through education but will we if fail to hold leadership accountable? By Melanie Nathan, July 26, 2013. The United Nations is launching an unprecedented freedom, equality and anti-homophobia campaign amidst clashing ideologies in Southern Africa, not to mention the rest of Africa too. The launch of … More As UN Launches Free and Equal Campaign Tutu speaks love and Mugabe death to Gays

The Mandela Timeline

July 19, 2013

South African former President Nelson Mandela. This illustration depicts the life of Nelson Mandela and is a good reference for students who want to encapsulate his life in an easy reference time line. However it should not derogate from the extensive information available online to study Mandela in depth. There is so much more…. Source: … More The Mandela Timeline

A most moving article of friendship by Nelson Mandela’s friend

July 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2013. When I went back to South Africa in 2011, to address the issue of so called “corrective rape” with the South African Government,  I wanted to speak to Nelson Mandela. With his house, mere blocks from my family home, I wanted to tell him that his vision for a … More A most moving article of friendship by Nelson Mandela’s friend

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

Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

July 7, 2013

Heartbreaking Video expresses the scourge of  Corrective Rape while the South African Task Team Sleeps By Melanie Nathan, July 07, 2013. Last week, a memorial service was held pending the funeral of a beloved lesbian from Gauteng, bringing home the horrendous truth, that “corrective rape” and violence against lesbians continues uncontrollably, despite acute awareness on … More Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder