6 young South African LGBTQI+ creatives you should know

Rich Mnisi. Pciture: Supplied

Rich Mnisi. Pciture: Supplied

Published Jun 17, 2019

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It's Pride and Youth Month in South Africa and we decided to highlight six youth members of the LGBTQI+ community. 

South Africa is a wealth of talent especially the young people in the country from the LGBTQI+ community who make a huge contribution to the creative artists. This includes singer, designers, DJs and actors. 

In celebration of Pride and Youth Month, we are highlighting six LGBTQI+ creatives taking over the world.

Rich Mnisi

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MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR #HouseofBNG

A post shared by Rich Fumani Mnisi(@therichmnisi) on Mar 18, 2019 at 9:37am PDT

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Collection: NWA-MULAMULA: LOBOLA ‘19 Photography by @ricardosimal Assisted by @lukehouba & Franco Kellerman MUA by @kcgmakeup Model: @yannick_konan @iam_sakora @summerzoethompson @_collinsblaise @dmonxo Assistant: @philipmorriswesson Inspiration: In the spirit of imagining an ancestor into existence, this is dedicated to my artistic muse and the place where I draw inspiration - I sought to imagine her into existence, through a daydream of her role as a matriarch set against the backdrop of a Lobola ceremony. Lobola is a ceremonial rite of passage in African culture that brings two families together through marriage. I drew from the visual elements and nostalgia of being a little boy running wild in the midst of a celebration. In this childlike dream, I was engulfed by Nwa-MulaMula’s stature and only awoke to pieces of memorabilia. My pieces reflected highlights of colour, textures, gifts and prints that are reminiscent of this daydream; symbolic of the packaging that transports me back home. Nwa-MulaMula remains the ever towering figure that symbolises the wealth of a family that will grow under her guidance. I feed on the repository of her memory and the soil that sustains a family, pregnant with possibility.

A post shared by RICH MNISI(@rich_mnisi) on Apr 1, 2019 at 11:04pm PDT

In 2015, Mnisi made his big debut at SA Menswear week and blow fashion media and influences away (I should know since I was there). The designer has gone on to have a huge career, showcasing his work globally, releasing a collaboration with Coke-Cola and dressed Beyoncé during her recent trip to SA for the Global Citizen concert. 

A post shared by Donatella Versace(@donatella_versace) on Jun 16, 2018 at 10:24am PDT

Consisting of the performative art duo Fela Gucci and Desire Marea, the singing and rapping collective have challenged heteronormative ideas of cisgender male artists’ gender expression. The music and performance art duo are touring the world and sat front row at the Versace Spring/Summer 2019 show last year in Milan. Where creative director Donatella Versace revealed that their music was the inspiration for the collection and their songs were used for the runway show.     

Nakhane

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Last 2 shows in Australia, coming right up! nakhaneofficial.com Photo: @somefx | @thetivolibrisbane

A post shared by NAKHANE.(@nakhaneofficial) on Jan 31, 2019 at 11:32am PST

"Inxeba (The Wound)" star Nakhane has international acclaim since his debut in the controversial South Afrincan film, and has featured in US publications such as Billboard and Paper Magazine. He has also been interviewed by queer icon Sir Elton John and Madonna naming him as one of her favourite artists. 

 

Toya Delazy

The “Love is in the Air” singer has been a hitmaker in the South African music scene.  She has also won several South African Music Awards and was nominated for a BET Award in 2013. Delazy also became the voice of the fourth Powerpuff Girl, Bliss, for the local dub of the latest reboot of the Cartoon Network show.  

K-$ (K-Dollahz)

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When U Hittin That SweetSpot Just Rite 😙 #KDOLLAHZ

A post shared by KDOLLAHZ(@k.dollahz) on Jan 21, 2019 at 1:26am PST

Kalo “K-$” Canterbury is one of the prominent DJs in the country and has been a huge voice for the LGBTQI+ community as the first openly trans man to make it in the DJing sphere in the country. K-$ has become a household name and even played at AFROPUNK JOBURG last year.

A post shared by Sade Giliberti(@onesadie) on Apr 2, 2019 at 8:18am PDT

The former Yo TV host packed her bags and moved to London, UK in 2015 to pursue her career aspirations and join her girlfriend Chané Scallan. Gillierti is still acting and is working behind the scenes too. She recently also appear a short film, "Bully," which addressed cyber bullying faced by members of the LGBTQI+ community. 

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