AS we commemorate Pride Month in South Africa, the University of Fort Hare, through the Student Affairs Division, in collaboration with SARChI Chair Sexualities, Genders & Queer Studies, found it befitting to host its 2nd Annual Queer Indaba.
Themed: “Who Belongs Here? Negotiating queerness at the University of Fort Hare,” the second edition of this indaba was a continuation of the conversations that were started in October 2023 during the first gathering themed “Towards a queer inclusive university.”
The event was an effort by the institution to realise an inclusive university campus that is a welcoming and safe space for all, and the university’s Alice Campus Sports Complex was filled to capacity.
The outspoken yet respectful panel discussion facilitated by Live Mabeqa featured Lisakhanya Peter, a UFH LLB student who is an advocate for queer rights; poet, writer and translator, Mthunzikazi Mbungwana; Professor Zethu Matebeni, SARChI Chair in Sexualities, Genders & Queer Studies; and Ambesa Mahlulo, a former student at the university and non-binary gender activist. Directed by Dominic Zaca and featuring performances by the multi-award-winning artist, Zuko SA and guitarist Avuyiswa Mafutha, the indaba was fun and engaging but also offered a safe space for frank discussions of queer issues.
Lundi Makhohliso, the manager of the university’s HIV unit, said the event was about promoting inclusivity. “We want everyone to feel welcome at Fort Hare, so we are starting this conversation to ensure that we all understand each other so that we live freely without judgement.”
In the keynote address titled “Queer Inclusion in Higher Education,” Prof Zethu Matebeni set the tone for the Indaba by addressing the current global climate. She remarked, “The second installation of the Queer Indaba comes at an interesting time in the world when we are witnessing a surge in backlash against feminist gains and the rise of what is called the anti-gender movement.”
Prof Matebeni urged all to be intentional about diversity and inclusion by starting to use African languages that are not gender fixated and divisive.
