The Next Gender-ation

Blogger Olwethu Leshabane uses her platform to help, inspire and initiate critical conversations. Her recent encounter with genderqueer youths while working with her foundation, The Red Wings Project, sparked a much-needed conversation surrounding gender perceptions and representation in SA.

- Asanda Sizani & Yolisa Mjamba

"Gender stereotypes, especially those displayed in the media, are biased. In SA, we have so much to deal with in terms of gender structures and patriarchy before we can segue into a place that is accepting of people who don’t subscribe to conventional gender distinctions. However, this point can’t be reached if mainstream media doesn’t lead the discussion in some way,” says Olwethu. “We haven’t even been introduced to the full spectrum of gender, and concepts like gender neutrality, formally as South Africans. When I say formally, I don’t mean a gender advocate or the likes. I mean in the media; a character on TV.”