LGBTQIA+ activist Steve Letsike becomes MP: 'Everybody in their diversity matters'
Prominent LGBTQIA+ activist Steve Letsike was sworn in as a member of the National Assembly last week.
Lester Kiewit speaks to the ANC's Mmapaseka 'Steve' Letsike about her appointment to the National Assembly and what this means to her and the LGBTQIA+ community.
On Friday, one of South Africa's most prominent LGBTQIA+ activists was sworn in as a member of the National Assembly.
Mmapaseka 'Steve' Letsike took her oath alongside other Members of Parliament (MPs) before Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Her appointment this Pride Month 'widens the pool' of inclusivity within the legislature.
Letsike is well known for her AIDS activism. She founded Access Chapter 2, an NGO raising awareness of intersectional issues facing South Africa's marginalised communities.
"One has to bring experience of the work of the integrity of Parliament that speaks about accountability, that speaks about oversight and also that speaks about policies that work for the people now."
- Steve Letsike, Member of Parliament
Letsike says her experience in human rights, public health and gender equality spaces speaks for itself.
She says that her voice will assist in ensuring that related issues are addressed in current policy work.
" I am hopeful that that's what I bring to the table."
- Steve Letsike, Member of Parliament
As an openly gay woman, Letsike says representation matters.
"Now, even for LGBTI persons, it matters, because our own ground of democracy has always spoken about inclusivity and it's time that we realise that everybody in their diversity matters."
- Steve Letsike, Member of Parliament
While re-committing to championing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa, Letsike also promises to use her voice to challenge anti-gay laws in other parts of Africa.
Early this year, the Ghanaian parliament passed laws which criminalise same-sex relationships and those who support LGBTQI+ rights.
"I'm not going to keep quiet when injustices happen," says Letsike.
"We have to speak about it. But we have to apply different strategies on how you can engage about it. Whether you use diplomatic effort, whether you go and engage with the counterparts of other political parties."
- Steve Letsike, Member of Parliament
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