The image, Portrait of a Drag Artist and Activist, was awarded 2nd place in the 63rd annual World Press Photo Contest. PHOTO: Lee-Ann Olwage
A former student at Stellenbosch University (SU) hopes to raise awareness for the African LGBTQI+ community through a photo project that aims to tell the stories of members of the black queer community who grew up in townships around Cape Town.
Former Matie, Belinda Qaqamba Ka-Fassie, is the founder of the #BlackDragMagic project and current Miss Drag SA. Ka-Fassie is also the subject of a photograph titled Portrait of a Drag Artist and Activist, that recently came 2nd place in the 63rd annual World Press Photo Contest.
The portrait, captured by local photographer Lee-Ann Olwage, is one of a series of photographs which forms part of the #BlackDragMagic project.
The project is a collaboration between Olwage, Ka-Fassie, and various other participants.
The team hopes that the African LGBTQI+ community will embrace their own respective identities, said Olwage.
Olwage emphasised that queer people, especially in townships such as Khayelitsha, should aim to reclaim the spaces in which they do not feel welcome.
This is especially important in an environment where members of the LGBTQI+ community are exposed to discrimination, harassment, and violence, she said.
The project #BlackDragMagic wants to empower the LGBTQI+ community to reclaim spaces in which they live. PHOTO: Lee-Ann Olwage
Telling authentic stories
Ka-Fassie wanted the project to showcase the African expression of drag and celebrate it as an art form.
“I knew that [Olwage] was the person I could trust that would help to tell these stories in the most authentic manner,” said Ka-Fassie.
According to Olwage, her work is a new form of activism. Olwage hopes to create more insightful narratives that will challenge injustice, a lack of representation and spark conversation surrounding issues concerning the LGBTQI+ community, she said.
“I want to co-create images where people feel empowered through the storytelling process and where they feel their stories are being represented in a way that is affirming and celebratory,” said Olwage.
From left to right: photographer Lee-Ann Olwage with participants, Belinda Qaqamba Ka-Fassie and Mandisi Dolle Phika. PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter/Afternoon Express
According to Olwage, she was honoured to have her work recognised by such a prestigious award.
The response to the project has been very positive and has generated a lot of interest, said Olwage.
Another participant of the project, LGBTQI+ political leader and activist, Mandisi Dolle Phika hopes that the project’s success encourages the LGBTQI+ community to unashamedly be themselves and to occupy spaces within the townships where they face hostility.
After the lockdown, Olwage and Ka-Fassie will be hosting an exhibition in Johannesburg in partnership with The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.
– Megan Muller