Fashioning Modern Africanism

Masawandile Tom is a young trans content creator and chartered accountant driving inclusivity in South Africa by sharing her authentic experiences of living openly   While South Africa was the first country to adopt a constitution that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, many trans people have or will experience some sort of discrimination in their lifetime.   Before Masa came out openly as a trans woman, she was operating at what she believes was 65% of her potential. “There were fleeting moments where I would get a peek of what my life could look like if I was fully, you know myself. It felt like I was postponing living my truth. But one day, I got to the point where I was ready to be honest about who I was and everything just fell into place.”   As a trans women, Masa finds power in the pronouns she identifies with. “Having someone ask me my pronouns and them respecting them is so affirming. It’s a signal of deep respect, a form of love language, a signa

Johannesburg, Durban, South Africa: Yaya Mavundla, 32, is known for her activism work through Transgender visibility and Mzansi Queer Festival organiser will invite viewers into her home to zoom into her transitioning journey. This prolific award-winning activist who is no stranger to television will be seen followed by cameras to a number of emotional activities that are part of her transitioning journey which includes: the search for her mother who she never got the opportunity to meet, and she will open up about the dynamics of dating as a Transgender woman. This 13-part reality show will, without judgment, delve deeper into the psyche of being a transgender person, as well as the barriers they need to overcome in order to live as their true selves. "When I first received a phone call from Mam Basetsana Khumalo to be part of this show I was in disbelief,” Yaya says. “I was so scared and excited at the same time. I sat and thought deeply, and I realised the impact of my contribu