Alumnus Presents at Africa is So Queer Webinar

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UKZN alumnus, Dr Princess Sibanda was invited to make a presentation at the Africa is So Queer webinar hosted by the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies.

Sibanda who holds a PhD from UKZN and an MA in Drama and Performance Studies (summa cum laude) is a scholar and activist working under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Sexualities, Genders, and Queer Studies at the University of Fort Hare.

The session focused on African narratives of resistance, especially embodied texts that speak back or talk back to say, “Africa is so queer, deal with it”!

Sibanda explained that her interest lies in promoting solidarity among people of African descent and reclaiming Pan-Africanism regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

She argues that the existence of queer people in the present is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that there are queer Africans, without overlooking the fact that history is important.

Referring to the stereotype perpetuated by some political leaders who are of the view that being queer is un-African, she said: ‘Queer people have existed and have been part of the Pan-African movement for a long time; thus, my interest in scripts of resistance or those that say that people do not always make a sufficient contribution to public discourse. Queer people are now saying “I exist” in defiance of public utterances by leaders that question whether one is African enough.’

Sibanda called for unity in and outside of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) community and highlighted the need to fight discrimination.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Supplied