Exhibition highlights challenges facing black transgender women
AS WOMEN’S Month draws to a close, an exhibition titled Layers of a Black Transgender Woman continues to gain momentum in highlighting the challenges facing transgender women across the African continent.
Presented and curated by transgender activist and media personality Yaya Mavundla, the exhibition showcases “different layers of women, interrogates identity and validate transgender women as women in a form of art” on their own terms.
This exhibition features black transgender women who are in the media and at the forefront of transgender visibility in South Africa.
The three women are Moja Love’s The Way Ngingakhona reality TV star Tholang Motsumi, Miss South Africa top 30 finalist Lehlogonolo Machaba, and Mzansi Magic’s Becoming Reality star, and award-winning transgender activist Mavundla.
Mavundla collaborated with South African photographer Terra Dick, who captured the photographs of the three women, while Nigerian illustrator Chukwudi Udoye interprets the images for this groundbreaking exhibition.
The title is inspired by the exhibition having different black transgender women with different stories told through text, voices, and art by different artists.
Mavundla said: “I knew working with transgender women who are visible in the media space and have made an impact in society and have inspired many people would help get the attention that the project needs.
“Going forward, when the exhibition gets extended, I will then add more black transgender women with different stories. I needed to further use my platform to bring change and help voice the issues we are facing.”
Mavundla says part of the exhibition will include conversations around media sensitisation, discrimination and stigma against trans women, pronouns, the importance of inclusivity and understanding gender identity.
“Transgender women are constantly having challenges when going to government facilities, and this was inspired by challenges of discrimination I have previously faced at government
hospitals and police stations due to my gender identity – where I was mocked and not offered a service I had went to the facility for. I know many transgender people face the same problems.
“Also, I remember when a dear friend, Iko Mash, passed away. The media reported her as he and further brought back her dead name, which is something I don’t wish to happen to any other transgender person.
“Transgender women at schools are denied to come to school with the
uniform that is assigned for female learners because their ID books or birth certificate identify them as what biology assigned them, not who they say they are, which is a problem,” added Mavundla.
“We want people to understand that black transgender women are women. They deserve respect and equal opportunities as other women.”
Layers of a Black Transgender Woman is open to the public at the Constitution Hill Women’s Jail in Braamfontein.