The South Africa LGBTIQ Political Leadership Learning Institute Class of 2019
Meet the 29 outstanding LGBTIQ leaders selected out of 500 applicants from all over South Africa for this year’s LBTIQ Political Leadership Learning Institute. These leaders have expressed clear interests in getting involved in politics and have strong track records in the fight for equality.
Combining theoretical and practical content, the LGBTIQ Political Leadership Learning Institute will provide LGBTIQ leaders with the necessary skills to participate in the political process and hold public office positions. This program is part of a larger project between Triangle Project and the LGBTQ Victory Institute, aimed towards bringing the topic of political participation from LGBTIQ people in South Africa to the public political agenda. The Institute equips trainees with tools to fight violence and inequality from within the political system.
Bontle Khalo
Hometown: Ekurhuleni
Age: 34
Bontle is an LGBTI activist who is passionate about emancipating the black LGBTI community. She is a co-founder of the Ekurhuleni Pride Organizing Committee, which among other things, organized the annual Pride celebration.
Bulelani Mzila
Hometown: Pietermaritzburg
Age: 30
As a media and communications volunteer for the Gay and Lesbian Network in KwaZulu Natal, Bulelani uses his radio slot in his community to promote LGBTIQ+ rights.
Dimakatso Moloisane
Hometown: Johannesburg
Age: 25
Dimakatso is currently serving as a councilor in the city of Johannesburg for the DA, after being elected to the position in 2015. He has set his sights on the mayor’s seat, and wants to use his platform to advocate for the LGBTIQA community.
Kamva Gwana
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 20
As a dedicated member of the #FeesMustFall movement, Kamva noticed the erasure of womxn and queer bodies, and felt compelled to give those bodies a voice.
Lebo Mncayi
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 29
Serving as Operations Manager at Mfuleni Peace Monitors, Lebo is passionate about the creation of safe spaces and communities for gender diverse people.
Liam Comley
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 33
Liam is a trans man in Cape Town who is planning to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for chest binders. The chest binders are for trans men who cannot afford them.
Lucky Thsunungwa
Hometown: Johannesburg
Age: 18
Lucky is a student activist who worked as a political affairs consultant before working as a researcher for the Democratic Alliance.
Maka Baleni
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 23
Attorney and advocate for equal right for LGBTIQ. Activist against gender based violence and educator of what being LGBTIQ entails.
Malcolm De Klerk
Hometown: Pretoria
Age: 31
Malcolm serves as an office bearer for his political party and has been exploring his sexuality and identity for many years.
Mandisi Phika
Hometown: Paarl
Age: 26
Mandisi works with Zonwabele, handling PR for the organization. The organization works to eradicate stigma, homophobia and gender based violence.
Maungo Dolo
Hometown: Johannesburg
Age: 30
Maungo is a gender rights activist who has organized with #TheTotalShutdow and also speaks for Legacy Alliance.
Mawethu Zita
Hometown: East London
Age: 35
Mawetu is currently studying HIV Management at Stellenbosch University and has his hand in many organizations that support youth and sexual minorities.
Ndondo Nzama
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 24
Ndondo is a young queer black woman who runs debate workshops that center around intersectional Black feminism.
Nqoh Shange
Hometown: Durban
Age: 23
A recent graduate with degrees in Politics and History and aspirations of being a ward councilor, Nqobile is a member of many different organizations that seek to provide support for the queer community.
Ofentse Mokae
Hometown: Kimberly
Age: 32
Currently serving as a DA councilor in Kimberley, Mokaw holds a degree in Journalism and has experience in public management, media and politics. He wants to use his position to advocate for the queer community.
Paseka Nkosi
Hometown: Johannesburg
Age: 30
Paseka plans to run for local government office in 2021 in order to protect the vulnerable members of the LGBTI community.
Sinoxolo Qeqe
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 22
An aspiring author, Sinoxolo is studying Gender Studies, African Studies and Sociology who intends to use her writing to represent the LGBTQIA+ community in African literature.
Siv Marola
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 19
Siv wants to be involved in South African politics to change the structure of the political arena and support LGBTIQ rights.
Sma Mothapo
Hometown: Bela-Bela
Age: 31
Sma has a degree in Social Work and aspires to be the first-ever trans woman to be elected as ward councilor in her community.
Thabo Mxolisi
Hometown: Durban
Age: 25
Thabo is a a young, independent activist who is interested in participating in the political life of his country. He is currently a UNISA student doing Second year in Public Relations.
Thato Mabe
Hometown: Bloemfontein
Age: 29
Thato is a strong believer in helping others so that they can also help others in the future. Thato is currently pursuying a governance, development and administration degree. Thato wants to be part of an institution to fight against racism, discrimination, prejudice and crime.
Thokozile Nhlumayo
Hometown: Pretoria
Age: 33
Thokozile is currently serving as the Executive Secretary of the International Youth Parliament, and is also a part of the steering committee for the African Youth Summit. Her goal is to become the chairperson of the African Union Commission in the future.
Velisa Jara
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 33
Velisa is a member of many NGOs that seek to protect young queer black women and is a photographer studying digital filmmaking.
Govana Yanga
Hometown: Bizana
Age: 30
Govana graduated from WSU with a Hospitality Management degree and is now an activist with the ANC, where she works to fight violence against women.
Arty James
Hometown: Cape Town
Age: 23
A part-time student, Arty hopes to intern for the Democratic Alliance to help bring queer representation into government and influence legislation.
Neo Moloi
Hometown: Krugersdorp
Age: 31
Neo operates a drug rehabilitation facility in Gauteng and thinks it is important for more people to have tough conversations about mental health. He enjoys gardening and rugby and most of all, spending time with his children.
Zola Dalani
Hometown: Stellenbosch
Nokuzola is studying business management at West Coast College and will be done with the theory in June. She currently is doing an internship at Heart NGO as a financial administrator and she also facilitates two support groups for LGBTIQ and teens.
Tee Thandiwe Lukhozi
Hometown: Durban
Age: 23
Thandiwe is a board member for Gender Dynamix, and as a transman, wants to be a better leader, predominantly fighting against the spread of HIV.
