The rumours are true. If you’ve been following my literary journey, you'll know I’m a messy b*tch who lives for drama. Prefacing this piece by admitting that I occasionally rewatch Have Faith and Dineo’s Diary (Faith Nketsi and Dineo Ranaka’s reality TV shows) should come as no surprise.
They're entertaining shows, but what stands out is the influence and contributions of queer people — particularly gay men — in the professional lives of these accomplished women. Whether it’s Rich Mnisi at the infancy of this career with Ranaka, or Andzelo Tivani moving from being the assistant to manager of Nketsi, it’s clear you can’t keep a good gay down.
The contributions of the queer community to the South African entertainment industry are undeniable, but aren't limited to gay men (just because the remnants of patriarchy seep into the LGBTQIA+ community more discreetly, doesn’t change its existence there).
The complexities of the rainbow community are far and wide, and long overdue for a discussion. Channel O’s new documentary, Young, Gifted & Queer, which aired on October 31 engages these issues and more. “I wanted to give artists and changemakers a nuanced platform, showing not just their work but their influence on local culture,” said multi-award-winning director of the film, Renaldo Schwarp.
“The film is a project that celebrates who we are and what we’re contributing as queer people. Queer black people are shaping South African culture, music and activism in ways that need to be celebrated. The documentary honours their impact.”
One of the documentary's protagonists is Umlilo, the Kwaai Diva. The internationally acclaimed artist, who happens to be transgender, is a star destined to step out of the shadows of heteronormative subordination. “As black and queer people, we’ve always known what’s hot and what’s going to pop; we’ve always done this. We’re living in a time in which we’re able to reclaim the spaces and impact that queerness and blackness has had on culture,” said the musician who premiered their new single Queer Freedom on Channel O during the documentary.
The impact is far and wide — from fashion to music, art to event organising, there's no artistic discipline in which queer people haven't made contributions. “If you’re going to tell the story of queerness, tell it all. Don’t tell it from one perspective,” says Andiswa “An.D” Dlamini, Umlilo’s co-star and founder of Other Village People and curator of safe queer spaces..
Through events Queertopia and Same Sex Saturday, An.D has first-hand experience in the art of inclusivity. Many years in the industry have made her a gatherer of people, who come together to enjoy queer joy. “If we continue to be visible and do the work, people will see us and feel the need to ‘live their truth’,” she said in the documentary’s trailer. “I hope people learn they’re not alone, they’re part of the world and belong in it as they are.”
The trailer includes many faces, well-known and emerging. But perhaps no-one stands out more than Bev Ditsie, iconic queer rights activist and veteran filmmaker, who imparts the wisdom that only a life dedicated to nuanced activism would develop. “We’re looking at how to live rather than the ways we’ve been dying,” said Ditsie.
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From 3SUM and the reality warping collective, Vintage Cru, the 48-minute-long film has extracted what has made queer art distinguished and paid homage through celebratory conversation. Ashwin Bosman, a founding member of Vintage Cru, now the Africa manager and DJ of fellow queer phenomenon, Moonchild Sanelly, is another example of the far-reaching tentacles of queer creatives. Vintage Cru boasts the likes of Lee-ché Jeneker, the former Idols choreographer, now choreographer for Tyla, and “the stylist to the stars” and musician Mr Allofit.
Queer creatives don’t hog their gifts — they share them. But sharing comes with lessons Schwarp had to unearth in what promises to be a significant piece of South African LGBTQIA+ archival work. “As queer people, we have to be unapologetic about our vision, ourselves and our work. Magic happens when you push through doubt and trust your voice,” he says.
Other special guest appearances include 5FM DJ Lula Odiba, the original dancing DJ-come-producer extraordinaire Olwethu “Ms Party” Mlotshwa and myself. Understanding my role in this production meant being empathetic to creatives like me who haven’t had the same opportunities. Like the official soundtrack, my latest single goes, God Ukhethe Mina (chose me) for a reason.
“My hope is that the film shifts how people see LGBTQIA+ people — not just as survivors or stats, but as creators, innovators and culture shapers,” Schwarp remarked. It will be interesting to see where Young, Gifted & Queer takes the conversation, but it goes without saying that the queer community might sometimes “throw shade”, but we’re not meant to stay in the shadows.
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