Laura tells Stefania the story of SIMON TSEKO NKOLI, a charismatic activist who fought against all forms of stigma and inequality in South Africa. He was involved in anti-apartheid and gay liberation movements and he also had a key-role in AIDS prevention. He organized the first pride celebrations of South Africa, and he has been called the “Gay Mandela” for his instrumental role against racial and sexual orientation discrimination. He united black and white gay communities, demonstrating how these two struggles shared a common ground in the fight for equality. The best place to see Simon’s legacy is in the vibrant black gay subculture in South Africa’s townships. Born: November 26, 1957, Soweto, South Africa; Died: November 30, 1998, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Episode Sources:

14 things you should know about Simon Nkoli Luiz DeBarros, 2018

Remembering Simon Nkoli 20 Years On Queerlife South Africa's leading LGBTI destination

Simon Nkoli

Nkoli, Tseko Simon (1957-1998) glbtq, inc., 2005

Bev and Simon: A South African “love story” Radio Netherlands, 2004

Simon and I Beverly Ditsie, Nicky Newman (2002)

Inseparable Struggles Sunday Times (Johannesburg), 2003

Nkoli, Simon

Till the time of Trial The prison letters of Simon Nkoli GALA: Gay and Lesbian

Archiving an Icon: GALA’s Simon Nkoli Collection