Almost two years since their child was brutally killed in an apparent homophobic attack, family and friends of Phelokazi Mqathanya, from Site C, gathered at Intlanganiso High School for the unveiling of her painting.
The painting, depicting the image of the slain lesbian with the words “You killed me”, has been drawn on the front wall of Phelokazi’s home. It was unveiled on Saturday 25 March.
The initiative was orchestrated by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex + (LGBTQIA+) community to commemorate her life.
Mqathanya, who was 24 years old, was stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday 2 May 2021. (“Another grisly murder”, City Vision, 06 May 2021).
Accused in the case, Bongani Ngadleka was acquitted by the court on Tuesday 17 January due to “a lack of evidence” against him.
However, he has been remanded in custody for other cases.
During a programme held at Intlanganiso ahead of the unveiling, Phelokazi’s cousin, who is also a member of LGBTQIA+ community, Nozuko Ndlwana, described the event as emotional and the revival of memories about her cousin.
She described Phelokazi’s painting as a way of demonstrating love, not only for her, but for the entire family.
“We thank Free Gender for such an initiative. It was a touching event, especially knowing that the accused was acquitted,” said Ndlwana. “We denounce the way the court handled the case even though the perpetrator is still incarcerated”.
She stated they would not rest until the accused was convicted for Phelokazi’s killing.
Lesbian activist and founder of Free Gender Funeka Soldaat described the event as part of commemorating Phelokazi’s life. Free Gender is a non-governmental organisation that fights for human rights, particularly for lesbians.
Soldaat stated that Phelokazi might be dead but her spirit still lives on. “This is how as LGBTQIA+ community shows their love for (Phelokazi) and her family. We want whoever has a hand in killing (her) to be haunted by the picture on the wall. We believe that her death was a homophobic attack,” she stated.
Soldaat stated that they will never stop fighting for their rights.