When Andiswa Gebashe was a child, she was enamored with the 90s

musical drama Sarafina, and just like Leleti Khumalo’s character, she

daydreamed of someday becoming president. Little did she know that

someday she would be a messenger of his words to the deaf community. With over a decade of working as a sign language interpreter, she has become a staple on South African television screens. She has signed for the SA President, cabinet ministers, US President Barack Obama, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and on arts stages interpreting arresting works to the deaf communities. Andiswa is advancing sign language across different platforms and she is on an adventure of lifetime.

In his book Becoming him: A Trans Memoir of Triumph, Landa Mabenge

shares his life story of being born in the wrong body. He is taken

from his grandparent’s loving home to be raised by parents who subject

him to horrific physical, emotional and psychological abuse.

After years of emotional turmoil Landa finds the courage to live

truthfully and undertakes a four year long journey of gender alignment

to becoming him.

He makes history by becoming the first known transgender man in South

Africa to successfully motivate a medical aid to pay for his surgeries

through the Groote Schuur Transgender Clinic. He now lives in his

truth, free, with a full command over his identity and life.

Landa takes us into his journey of Becoming Him. He generously shares

with us his road to forgiveness and acceptance after a tumultuous

childhood.

After our conversation, Lebo said: “Every time I think of our interview I smile and get excited for what is coming. If all interactions with artists could be like his, more people would care about and also understand what we do”. We continue to go within with Lebo Mashile as she shares where her work comes from and the power of vulnerability. And our musings on the pandemic and the significance of this moment.

We kick-off Interiority with award-winning writer, presenter, actress, and activist Lebo Mashile who undoubtedly belongs in the pantheon of Africa’s finest poets. After all, poetry is the language of the interior.

In Part 1, Lebo reflects on the creative industry, what does it really mean to be a warrior and her creative arsenal. We explore how blackness and black love have shaped her.

Interiority Intro by The quality of being focused on one's inner life and identity.