The LGBTIQ+ community has come under the spotlight as the country commemorates Women’s Day today.
In Mahikeng in the North West, transgender women believe if you talk about women, transgender women must be part of the discussion. 26-year old fashion designer, Keabetswe Makhotla, shares her journey of self-discovery as a transgender woman in a world full of limitations for women.
“I had to live my life, all my life, identifying as a gay man. Not accepting myself resulted in having low self-esteem. But since 1 June, that was my first day taking my hormones. And it has been the best day of my life till today,” says Makhotla.
While accepting oneself is vital, 33-year old Anele Xhati, a transgender activist says acceptance by society is also vital.
“I find that for society it was easier to understand gays, lesbians and when a transgender person comes in, whether it be a transgender man or woman, it’s another case that; “No but o batla go itira mosadi/you want to make yourself a woman and it is not the case you are a woman,” says Xhati.
Xhati says as the nation celebrates Women’s Month with the values of equality and inclusivity transgender women should not be left behind.
“I am here. I am a voice to be reckoned with. I am here for you to acknowledge, to include in your boardrooms. When you talk about women, you will carry me along and you will identify me along with those women. In churches, in the workplace when you talk about women you will talk about transgender women because they are women in their own right.”
In the video below is more on transgender women:
