transgender

Tholang Motsumi, Yaya Mavundla and Lehlogonolo Machaba Images via Twitter @Tholang_Motsumi @YayaRSA @De_Lehlogonolo

Powerful trio behind photo exhibit ‘Layers of a Black Transgender Woman’

Lehlogonolo Machaba, the first transgender Miss SA Top 30 finalist, is one of three trans women who have united to create the hard-hitting photography exhibition ‘Layers of a Black Transgender Woman’.

transgender

Tholang Motsumi, Yaya Mavundla and Lehlogonolo Machaba Images via Twitter @Tholang_Motsumi @YayaRSA @De_Lehlogonolo

Lehlogonolo Machaba, Yaya Mavundla and Tholang Motsumi, have joined forces to create a photography exhibition, that will address issues faced by black transgender women in South Africa. 

ALSO READ: Lehlogonolo Machaba: Who is Miss SA’s first transgender finalist?

CREATING SPACES OF INCLUSION

Miss SA top 30 finalist Lehlogonolo Machaba told Sowetan that the exhibition will finally give transgender women a chance to showcase their incredible talents. 

“This means as trans individuals we are moving forward as a community. In the past few years we have been bottom of the food chain, but we are not channeling our inner power and showing the world that we do exist,” Machaba said. 

Machaba made history last month by becoming the first transgender woman to make Miss SA’s top 30. 

Star of reality show Becoming, Yaya Mavundla, expressed that her agenda is to ensure she uses her platform to make sure transgender women are deserving of the same spaces as all women. 

Mavundla worked closely with photographer Thembela Terra Dick, to photograph 12 images that will feature in the exhibit. Nigerian illustrator Chukwude Udoye interpreted some of Tera Dick’s images. 

INSPIRATION

The Way Ngingakhona’s Tholang Motsumi, shared that she has always wanted people (especially transgender people) to be inspired by her.

“This is what I have always wanted to do” she says. 

Model Lehlogonolo Machaba highlighted that the makeup artist and director of the exhibition both identify as transgender women. Other crew members of the exhibition are also a part of the LGBTQI community. 

ALSO READ: Ariel Nicholson: American Vogue’s first trans cover star [photos]

‘LAYERS OF A BLACK TRANSGENDER WOMAN’

The photography exhibition, powerfully titled Layers Of a Black Transgender Woman was launched on 14 August at the women’s jail at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The exhibition is in celebration of women’s month. 

The exhibition will run for exactly a month and end on 14 September. 

While the photography exhibition runs, Yaya Mavundla will host weekly dialogues with the media, and various government departments. The topics Mavundla will be tackling include pronouns, inclusivity and gender identity.