Published on : 2024/01/ – By Beyond the Margins
I moved to South Africa in 2007, after I was shunned by my community and family back in Zimbabwe because of my sexual orientation. In 2016, I created a group that would serve us as the migrant refugee community, especially seeing as we did not know much about South African organisations we could turn to for assistance. We decided to call the group Pachedu, which is a Shona word, meaning ‘by us, with us’. I registered Pachedu as a non-profit organisation in 2023. This allowed us to provide food, shelter, and clothing to hundreds of refugees.
In 2023, I participated in Soweto Pride, representing my organisations, Pachedu, and Safeplace International. It was my first time attending this event – and, honestly speaking, the best moment of my year. Initially, I was very scared because I had only heard about Soweto. I was scared for my life (laughs).
But not once during the march did I feel different or scared. I only felt solidarity and inclusion. It was a joy for me when one of the comrades pulled me up to join them in leading the parade. It was so, so hot that day, but despite the weather, we continued marching because we were out to let the world know who we are. As we danced and sang, with rainbow flags flying, my inner child definitely came out to play (laughs).
At the finish line, we all sang the national anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”. Eish, signing that song that day – along with everyone – sealed the day and made the march really, really worthwhile. There’s that line – “Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Hear our Prayers) / Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo (God bless us, we her children)”. That line really got to me, because I felt like it represents the difficulties faced by the queer community – and our call for help.
As we sang it, I cried. I guess it was because it was as though we were dedicating it not only to us there at the march, but to our siblings in Uganda and Zambia and Kenya and Ghana. And, of course, my queer siblings in Zimbabwe.
So ja, my experience at Soweto Pride left me feeling really inspired to continue spreading the message of compassion and understanding. You know, at the end of the day, the only thing we want is access to health and other human rights that we are always being denied. We only want inclusion and love and compassion.
So I’m committed to continuing this work, and I’m confident that I can make a difference. I’m committed to using my voice to spread a message of kindness and understanding. It might sound cheesy, but I really believe that, together, we can create a better tomorrow – for everyone. – Nyasha Zhakata (preferred name, Masi)