21/11/2024
'If you are Black and gay in South Africa, then it really is all the same closet… inside is darkness and oppression. Outside is freedom.'
These words are from Simon Nkoli (1957-1998), a South African gay activist and anti-apartheid leader. In his quest for freedom, he fought for the rights and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa and facilitated a cross-over with the anti-apartheid movement.
He was the founder of the Gay Association of South Africa (GASA) and the Gay and Le***an Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW). In 1990, he was the first organiser of the Gay & Le***an Pride march in Johannesburg. On the 26th of November this year Nkloli, who died of aidsrelated disease, would have turned 67 years. What was his influence and legacy? How have his ideas shaped the acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa? What does this mean for us nowadays?
Composer and sound artist Philip Miller produced 'Nkoli: The Vogue-Opera in South Africa.' More than 26 singers, dancers, voguers and musicians performed a tribute to the life of Simon Nkoli. The co-writer of the lyrics of the opera and performer S’bo Gyre will give an introduction about the opera and Simon Nkoli himself.
After the introduction, Bart Luirink will talk about Nkoli’s legacy and the development of gay rights in South Africa.
Sign up to join us!
https://www.zuidafrikahuis.nl/product/simon-nkoli-remembrance/
