Zawadi Mashego is a lesbian queer rights activist, visual artist and writer from South Africa who uses media to revolt against the harmful stereotypes surrounding queer people in African communities. Building on ventures in theatre, photography, art, graphic design and literature, Mashego is now building a transnational network of LGBTQIA+ Africans via The Queer Republic. She works in collaboration with fellow queer radical Marylize Biubwa, based in Kenya. Together, they run a WhatsApp group for queer Africans to connect, host regular Twitter spaces to tackle LGBTQIA+ related topics and run a blog where they invite others to share their stories.
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Please tell us about your work as a queer rights activist in South Africa.
I’ve always been an activist at heart, and this world makes it impossible not to revolt. From the gender roles I ridiculed at home to the rebellious persona I embraced in primary school, I found out that life is made uncomfortable for me by people who take pride in creating discomfort for people like me. It was in varsity (university) that I got to fully clothe myself in rebellion and fight for my identity as a Black queer lesbian. I was a member of advocacy programmes, and I got to learn the importance of trusting in one’s voice and creating the world that you want to live in. Between tackling depression and being angry at this world, I became a full-time artist. My art became another aspect of my revolt against the white man’s system and also my way of building myself in a way that affirms me from my core. I then started a borderless nation of queers and allies to advance queer liberation.
What do you mean by “a borderless nation”?
My goal is to unite queers on the African continent and across the globe. We (Marylize and I) realised that the laws that are put in each country were strategic in an effort to erase or silence queers, which makes it difficult for queers to unite or form an alliance in a specific place or country, especially in Africa. So, we want to move beyond the concept of borders and show up for each other wherever we are. We want a united queer network with individuals and organisations working together to end queer suffering and erasure. We want to be visible in every field and lead the way to our freedom. We’re doing this via The Queer Republic.
When did you create The Queer Republic?
The Queer Republic became official between January and February 2022. The idea itself started with a photography magazine that was released in October 2021 with the intention of celebrating queers in all their glory. The idea grew into a borderless nation when I met Marylize Biubwa, who is the co-founder of The Queer Republic. We organised a physical and virtual protest against Mr Magoha’s remarks to ban queer kids from boarding schools.
What else does the Queer Republic do?
The Queer Republic hosts group therapy sessions on the 28th of each month. We have organised protests, and we write and share stories that are centred on queer individuals. We also hosted Queerly Scriptures — open discussions about queerness and religion, offering a space to openly talk about queerness and scripture and how queer bodies can find healing and safe spaces in the scriptures.
What inspires your activism?
My main inspiration is to celebrate queers and fight against the hatred that is shoved upon us. The biggest trigger was the announcement of the Ghanaian anti-LGBTQ Bill that was drafted by members of parliament. I was hurt and angry to see those members of parliament drafting our death sentences. To think that they are the ones who are supposed to protect the citizens, but they are the killers instead. It was another moment that made me realise that no one will fight for queers if the queers don’t fight for themselves. We have been made a comfortable ground for politicians and priests to flaunt their capabilities of serving the nation by erasing and silencing us. The Queer Republic is the fists I throw at the homophobes, the path I pave for my queer self and my community, and the creation of a better world and a space of belonging for queers across the globe.
Please tell us more about the photography magazine you mentioned.
All Hail The Queers Photography Magazine is a collection of photographs created by nine queer artists and queer individuals. The co-creators were reflecting on what it means to be queer and to simply share fractions of themselves through their photographs. The magazine seeks to show the personal lives of its creators, to show the different colours and lenses of queerness, to share the day-to-day experiences of queers and to move away from the habit of seeing queerness or positioning queers as entertainment for heterosexuals.
In all your work, there is a huge focus on utilising media in its different forms. What role do you think the media plays in our perception of queer people, especially in Africa?
Visibility is vital for queer people, and positive representation of queerness is more crucial because the media has been used to demonise us in the past, which continues to this day. However, we have seen more queer celebrities and queer content that represents us in a positive light. Also, queers are getting more vocal on social media platforms which is amazing because we get to speak for ourselves without needing a third party. We get to create content to share and advocate for queer rights. Our visibility is growing, and in time, we will have archives and representations that are healthy and affirm our queerness.
What are some of the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people in Africa that aren’t covered by mainstream media?
Mainstream media supports a general narrative that everyone should be straight. The democracy that all countries claim to have is a lie because there are people in power that dictate what is being aired and what is being silenced. We don’t depend on mainstream media to represent us in a positive light because the truth is tilted towards the dominant force that is racist, homophobic and destructive to society.
Does this type of representation have an impact on what it is like living as a Black queer person in South Africa at present?
Yes, it does because people are practising the hatred they see in the media. In 2006 there was a documentary called Rape For Who I Am that depicted our predicament as Black Lesbian South Africans. Corrective rape and murder are huge threats that we live with every day, and it’s frightening because a lot of our siblings are being murdered. One has to be careful of where they go and try to be as safe as you can be. Loneliness seems to be a constant state of being. You make friends and date people who live far from you because it’s rare to find queers in places that aren’t as popular as the cities. You get to create the healthy queer life you dream to live in, and you build yourself a safe space for your queer self. This is why there is a need to create more spaces for queers to be more intentional and more vocal about queerness. No one should decide how a person is supposed to live and identify. The teachings of this system have been harmful to humanity, and it has engulfed every part of the world. In any way and any chance we get, may we spread acceptance, may we write our stories and continue spreading the essence of freedom and live intentionally in our truth.
In what ways do you think people need to do better to improve the lives of queer people?
People need to learn to not impose themselves on other people’s lives. We are different, we have different paths to follow, and we need to respect that. Our opinions will not create one’s destiny. The connection that one has with their being is private and sacred; you get to define yourself to yourself, and you get to create the person you feel yourself to be. You get to answer to your name. You get to answer to your dreams. You are your creation, and no one should interfere with your creation. When we practice being one with ourselves, we practice being one with our surroundings and the people around us. Respecting a being doesn’t require permission from a god. Respecting a being doesn’t require money or status. This is a living being; respect them as you respect yourself.
Where and how can one get involved in the Queer Republic?
We are open to collaborations and working with queer individuals and organisations to form a broad network of queers. You can reach out on:
Twitter - @ArtZawadi, @Queerly_So
Instagram - @zawadi.art, @marylize_biubwa
Email – zawadimash@gmail.com, candylize@gmail.com
People can join our monthly therapy sessions by following the link in our Twitter and Instagram bios.