UHAMBO, the life journey of Funeka Soldaat

108pp., b/w & colour illus., paperback, Khayelitsha, 2018

Black lesbian and gender activist Funela Soldaat was born in 1961 on a farm in the Eastern Cape. She has worked as an outreach worker for Triangle Project and as an educator for Rape Crisis. In 2008 she co-founded Free Gender, an organisation mobilising and mentoring Black lesbians in Khayelitsha and other Western Cape townships.

"Uhambo is about a life dedicated to the struggle for Black people's liberation. In Funeka's world, this is also about gender, sexuality and bodily autonomy. In her journey as an African lesbian in South Africa is the challenge of self-discovery, self-love and acceptance. She carries this identity proudly as a freedom fighter, partner and activist. We can learn from her about community organising, developing a new generation of activists, and making government accountable to the constitutional promise." Zathy Matebeny, feminist scholar, activist and supporter of Free Gender