STORY TIME #1
Tribute to Ayanda Denge
Cape Town, South Africa
Ayanda Denge was a sex worker for over 16 years. She began to work in Johannesburg and later travelled to many cities in Southern Africa, including Harare, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Victoria Falls.
Ayanda has devoted her life to fight the stigma of sex workers and to raise HIV/AIDS awarness. She was also a motivational speaker on cancer awareness and a human rights advocate. Ayanda’s social justice activism in South Africa was concerned with issues for the rights of sex workers and transgender people.
Ayanda was brutally murdered in Cape Town on March 2019. May Ayanda’s fight and legacy for a more just and equal South Africa resonate within the reader of this story.
Devotion in the fight for gender equality and decriminalization of sex work
Ayanda and I met in March 2017 by coincidence. It was a warm and sunny afternoon in late summer in Cape Town. Lots of people went for walks along the promenade that stretches from Green Point to the furthest end of Sea Point. Somewhere between the swimming pools and Sunset Beach, I decided to take a seat on massive rock formations that spread out into the Atlanic Ocean. A very peaceful, yet busy athmosphere was in the air. In the corner of my eye, I have spotted Ayanda, but did not know who it was at this moment in time. Later, Ayanda would walk towards me and approach me with the following words: “I have seen you looking at me.” I was indeed looking at Ayanda who was not even 10 meters away from me meditating. However, I returned my attention to the beautiful sensation of the waves and the literature that I brought along.
While I was quietly sitting there and taking in the moment, I started to become curious about this person meditating and trying to find inner peace across from me. Just shortly before the sun was setting, Ayanda approached me and we started to have a fruitful conversation.
In honoring memory of AYANDA DENGE who was killed
defending Human Rights.
Your spirit will live within our hearts and souls for eternity
May the waves wash away the sins of humankind.
Ayanda was a sex worker for over 16 years and began to work in Johannesburg - the so called City of Gold. Ayanda has devoted her life for the rights of sex workers in order to ensure that their health and human rights are recognized. Recently, I heard of the tragic news that Ayanda has been brutally murderd defending human rights. This is a tribute to Ayanda and everyone who is fighting for gender and sexual equality.
People as Ayanda are subjected to daily discrimination, stigma, persecution and even murder, because of who they are or who they love. People run away from home because of rejection, followed of loss of family, risking their lives, seeing oneself as a failure or whatnot. It further brings up issues that are constructed around sexism, heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia. It is oppressive and excluding to those who are already marginalized. Marginalized in the way that people are treated as less than a human being.
The language and violence are dehumanizing and it needs to stop. At the end of the day, it needs to be made clear that: #LoveIsLove and that we all need compassion and recognition.
Marginalization and violence experienced by the
LGBTIQ+ community
There is power in each and everyone to make this world a better place. Everyone can contribute to become better human beings. It is time to stop the violence!
Then everyone deserves to be treated with the highest ethical assertion of dignity under the broad banner of human rights.
May your soul rest in Peace, Ayanda!
Being aware of the fact that this imbalance originates from manmade thoughts that essentially created and constructed a system that is violenting and exclusive is one step towards the support of gender and sexual equality.
South Africa faces tens of thousands of reported cases of rape each year. South Africa’s’ history also shows persecution of gays, lesbians and other queer persons.
But, then, the question arises, how do you address gender imbalances socially?
The implications it has on an individual as Ayanda will provide an insight in the marginalization of gender non-conforming people in South Africa.
Stories as the one of Ayanda need to challenge the dominating narrative of gender roles, gender relations and gender identity, as well as stereotypical and violating images of people who identity as other than men and women.
Ayanda once said to me: “I sometimes just wish to have that ear that listens. Sometimes it’s just nice to listen and to be heard. And, that someone appreciates you for who you are, no transactions involved, just genuing interest in you as a person.”