Our Mission
To see a just and equal society that is inclusive to the marginalized community and youth in KwaZulu-Natal. Tackling socio-economic problems through meaningful civil society engagement to enforce programs in government that will address gender diversity and inclusion of the LGBTI+ community and youth participation.
Our Vision
Access to opportunities, recognition of the LGBTQI+ community within government working in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as access to fair and equal services.
Our Challenges
The work that the project is embarking on is new and groundbreaking. There has never been an organization actively working towards political inclusion of LGBTQI+ communities in KwaZulu-Natal. Many organizations have been engaging with government, but not with an interest in bringing about representation within political parties. Our advocacy work is unique and requires strategic balancing between the opposites of being politically diluted versus biased to a particular political party.
Many politicians still need to be sensitized and educated on LGBTQI+ issues and SOGIESC human rights. Their lack of knowledge becomes clear when engaging with them through the kind of questions they ask. The status quo consists of pervasive patriarchy, CIS normativity, heteronormativity, and sex binarism within political formations in South Africa.
Another challenge is that there is little youth development. Many young LGBTQI+ people are unemployed, and few are dedicated to changing their lives. Drug use and leaving school early greatly impact LGBTQI+ communities and continue exacerbates the scourge of marginalization, discrimination, and violence towards LGBTQI+ people.
Our Background
Bulelani Mzila is a gender non-conforming gender diversity activist. They are the founder and coordinator of Isibani Civil Society forum. The forum is an extension of the opportunity that Bulelani received in 2019 where they were trained in LGBTQI+ Political leadership by Victory Institute in collaboration with Triangle Project. They were requested to draft proposals to form Civil Society Forums looking at championing
socio-economic issues faced by the LGBTQI+ KwaZulu-Natal community.
In 2020, the forum began its work with championing Gender Affirming Healthcare, the forum compiled research and came up with a memorandum that was given to political parties. We also shot a documentary called Stand With Us featuring 4 trans identifying individuals who spoke on limited access to gender affirming healthcare.
The forum has been continuing to engage the department of health and department
of Social Services through its media campaign that was set up through the help
of a training workshop by Taboom Media on LGBTQIA+ Media Advocacy.
2021 began with the Forum contacting the Department of Social Development to partner on a media advocacy project to highlight the importance of the Hate Crimes Bill. This was in commemoration of Lindokuhle Cele and LGBTQIA+ activist and artist who was murdered in broad daylight just because he identified as queer. We also hosted a face to face gathering and broadcasted live on our Facebook page during Trans Remembrance Day and also hosted a number of gatherings on Heritage Day, as well as on voters empowerment/rights.
The projects fiscal host is Triangle Project, the project currently has no funds and is running through Bulelani’s passion to advocate for LGBTQI+ issues. We however do get funding for a specific period to work on advancing socio-economic issues faced by the community the forum serves. We have also partnered with other small LGBTQI+ Youth Led organizations and LGBTQI+ human right activist.
Bulelani believes that advocating and continuing to engage government on issues faced by the LGBTQI+ community is important and to have higher-level engagement with people who hold the powers of fostering change in the society. The project is
dedicated to realising the emancipation of the marginalized community. Even
after 27 years of democracy the LGBTQI+ community continues to face discrimination
and lack of proper access to government opportunity. It is with this that the forum
believes in the Bathu Pele Principal and on Ubuntu.
Isibani Civil Society Forum 