Fallen lesbians and gays remembered amidst calls for justice

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 government to do more to combat rampant violent homophobia.

Noxolo, a dedicated LGBT activist, and mother of two young children, has yet to see justice, as her (possibly 8) perpetrators remain free.

The Day of Commemoration also honored the other LGBTI people who were murdered on the basis of their sexual orientation, in and around Ekurhuleni, including Eudy Simelane , Girlie Nkosi, Xolani Dlomo and many others who were killed in similar circumstances.

KwaThema is the same township where the body of celebrated female soccer star and Banana  player, Eudy Simelane, was found in April 2008. Simelane was gang-raped, beaten and stabbed 25 times before being disposed of in a ditch.

Girlie Nkosi was killed in 2009; and Dlomo, was a gay man murdered in 2004.

With calls for justice, a moving memorial service was held next to a temporary stone structure which was constructed to display the myriad of messages for hope, expressing condolences for all the “fallen comrades and their families,” while balloons with solidarity messages from around the world were displayed.

At last year’s event Epoc chairwoman Ntsupe Mohapi said of authorities: “After this commemoration, we have to do something. Up to today, nothing has been done, which is so unacceptable,” and now another year has gone by and still the South Africans cry for justice.

Activists are asking LGBTI people and friends around the world to show solidarity and to express calls for justice – see –  our full report on the calls for Justice at http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/04/22/and-still-no-justice-for-lesbian-noxolo-nogwaza-let-the-world-remember-with-a-call-for-action/

There are many, many more such victims and survivors of so called “corrective rape” throughout South Africa.  In 2011 the South African Government started a task team in partnership with the LGBTI community, and despite heightened awareness,  and government statements of solidarity, remedies and reforms to change the milieu and dangers, have yet to see any meaningful progress and implementation.

Note: KwaThema is a township south-west of Springs on the East Rand, Gauteng, South Africa. It was established in 1951 during the Apartheid era.

Related articles

• And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action (oblogdeeoblogda.me)
• Remember Me When I’m gone (oblogdeeoblogda.me)