Browsing by Author "Makhaye, Nandi Michelle."

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Hate crimes perpetrated against lesbian women and their personal experiences of violence in family and community settings.
(2019) Makhaye, Nandi Michelle.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
The South African Constitution, which has been praised globally for being the most progressive, promised equal rights and protection to every citizen regardless of their sexual orientation. However, it seems the Constitution has failed to fulfil its promise to protect and defend lesbian persons against violence. The current debates about hate crimes against lesbians as part of the widespread of abuse against women in South Africa demonstrate a perfect example of how the South African government has failed to protect lesbian persons. Hate crimes against anyone including lesbian persons are a form of human rights violations. These violations are highlighted together other difficulties that lesbians face. This research argues that South Africa together with other African States has failed to protect lesbian persons from hate crimes. This was demonstrated by engaging the Responsibility to Protect Theory, the Duty of the State to Protect, and the meaning of the South African Constitution. This study also discusses how the structure of the African societies is guided by the concepts of Christianity and religion which perpetuate violence against lesbians, where homosexuality is perceived as “immoral” and “Un-African”. This research details and contextualizes violence and types of hate crimes against lesbians and documents types of hate crimes, including degrading treatment and punishment by the State as well as discrimination, harassment and violence at the hands of families, churches, strangers, co-workers, community members, and so on. The study had two focus areas. The first area gathered statistics from the UKZN Pietermaritzburg LGBTI Forum, the Pietermaritzburg Gay and Lesbian Network, and the Ubumbano LGBTI group. It focused on experiences of violence. 69 lesbians participated, and 96% had experienced violence. In addition, other statistical data and facts of hate crimes against lesbian persons in other countries have been taken from different sources, including books and online journals. The second focus area was conducted at UKZN using a convenience sample which focused on attitudes towards lesbian persons. The results indicated that 80% of heterosexual students who were interviewed had positive attitudes towards lesbian persons. The study also looked at the State’s legal obligation to protect lesbian persons and prevent violence of any kind against sexual minorities using the Social Identity Theory and Responsibility to Protect Theory as theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Lastly, the study provides recommendations for implementing this.
Homophobic hatred and violence in Pietermaritzburg: drawing on faith to establish counter communities of care for black Izitabane women.
(2024) Makhaye, Nandi Michelle.; Van der Walt, Charlene.
The challenges faced by black Izitabane women, especially in relation to their sexual orientation and their religious beliefs, are significant. The compatibility of Ubutabane and Christianity has been a topic of debate, with some Christians advocating for coexistence while others view it as contradictory to core Christian principles. Black Izitabane women often experience marginalization and discrimination in various aspects of society. This autoethnographic research, which drew on queer theology and used a qualitative approach, aimed to explore the individual experiences, perspectives, and beliefs of nine black Izitabane women regarding their sexuality and faith. All participants identified as Isitabane and considered themselves devout Christians. The study used purposive sampling to select and invite participants and gathered data through a focus group discussion and individual interviews focusing mainly on the faith, violence, culture, and sexual experiences of black Izitabane women in Pietermaritzburg. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the women who were part of this exploration perceived the church as unwelcoming and fellow Christians as judgmental. They faced rejection and isolation in the very place where they expected to be supported. The study suggests that, in post-apartheid South Africa, the church should take a proactive role in advocating for social justice and combatting homophobic hatred and violence, which continues to marginalize black Izitabane women.