Prominent South African activist elected to country’s parliament
June 27, 2024A notable South African LGBTQ+ activist has secured a seat in the nation’s parliament.
Steve Letsike, a lesbian woman who established Access Chapter 2, an advocacy organization in South Africa, is a member of the African National Congress (ANC). She also serves on the ANC’s National Executive Committee, which guides the party’s direction.
Letsike obtained a seat in the South African National Assembly during the national and provincial elections held on May 29.
Image Credit: Canva
The ANC lost its parliamentary majority, which it had maintained since Nelson Mandela won the South African presidency in the country’s first post-apartheid elections in 1994. Earlier this month, MPs re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa after the ANC invited the Democratic Alliance and other parties to join in forming a Government of National Unity.
In a statement to ‘Washington Blade’, Letsike described her election as “a milestone for the people of South Africa, and also affirmative of our party’s posture that is inclusive and intention to transformation agenda.”
“I am not in parliament for myself but the people that trusted the ANC to send individuals that will put people first,” said Letsike. “In that cohort that includes the LGBTI people like myself. Rooted in the teaching of a just society, that seeks equality and believes in the rule of law. That demand on developmental agenda from a queer lens and clear priorities of the people is important.”
“I am delighted by this task, trust and hope for our people,” she added.
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