But what we forgot was that we’re not talking about issues or topics or problems… we are actually talking about people!
Johannesburg, South Africa – ‘Does God hate Gays’ and ‘Where are our gay South African role models’ are just a few episode titles of SKEEF, a new South African documentary series that sets out to expose the realities of being LGBTI+ in South Africa. This Afrikaans documentary is a raw representation of modern Queer life – the highs, the lows, and even the high heels!
The harsh backlash that dating show, ‘Boer soek ‘n vrou’ recently received after introducing a gay farmer, as well as the recent reports of Brunei enacting strict new Islamic laws that make gay sex punishable by stoning to death, served as poignant reminders that the fight against LGBTI discrimination and oppression is far from over, making conversations about these issues more significant than ever before – especially in South Africa.
SKEEF, which is presented and produced by eclectic kykNET & Kie host and Jacaranda FM presenter Renaldo Schwarp (27), aims to further highlight these issues in a country which is perceived as having the most progressive LGBTI+ rights. A perception that is far from reality.
Throughout the series, Schwarp delves deeper into a variety of LGBTI+ issues with famous guests like comedian Marc Lottering, musician Joe Foster, Good Things Guy Brent Lindeque and Kanarie co-writer Charl-Johan Lingenfelder. Schwarp also doesn’t shy away from posing the difficult questions about representation in local media to top decision makers like VIA TV channel head, Izelle Venter.
Amongst others, viewers will hear from Adnan Al Mouselli – a gay Syrian refugee, who had to flee his country in fear of his own life as well as, Cher Petersen, a transgender woman from Stellenbosch who, after years of battling with her identity, is using her life to educate people about the struggles that trans people in South Africa face.
“It’s going to make people uncomfortable; a few will be shocked or maybe even upset, but overall I think this documentary highlights the beauty, resilience, and diversity of our LGBTI community,” Schwarp says.
Watch the promo here:
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