African voices
In 2023, Tshepo B. Maake interviewed five Black gay mineworkers in small mining towns in South Africa’s North West and Mpumalanga provinces as part of his research.
One of the central findings of his study is that heteronormative structures within the mining industry push Black gay identities to the margins and make them difficult to voice openly. According to Maake, these structures are sustained above all by religious beliefs and traditional ideas about gender, which reinforce the authority of heterosexual men in the workplace.
One of the central findings of his study is that heteronormative structures within the mining industry push Black gay identities to the margins and make them difficult to voice openly. According to Maake, these structures are sustained above all by religious beliefs and traditional ideas about gender, which reinforce the authority of heterosexual men in the workplace.
Mthabisi, male, 30 years old, driver of a dump truck
"Around straight colleagues there is that fear of being discriminated against. I have to be a straight man, be a straight actor, for me to be accepted."
Sibusiso, male, 26 years old, safety officer
"A lot of people don’t want to be led by a gay person, especially men, because they are patriarchs. Men who are very closed-minded in their thinking would not agree to be led by a woman, and then here’s a gay man, who is associated with woman, not really seen as a man man man. They would never really accept that. I mean if you are traditional and engaged in cultural things and very strict at home, then you wouldn’t want to get to work and be controlled by a “half-man”. That is what they would think."
Temba, male, 26 years old, safety officer
"I have to act straight, so that I do not put attention or suspicion on myself. I feel like most of the times I have to pretend to be like them, like normal. Also, to be respected by them I have to act normal."
Katlego, male, 28 years old, safety manager
“Well, I am not proud because I am not out; I am still trapped I cannot be myself. Even though the government educates people in the country where I work, it is not as free. Maybe if I can move to another working environment, not in the mines, corporate or business, where I am acceptable and tolerated, maybe I will be proud of myself because I will not be judged on whom I am but on my work ethic that I am bringing to the company, so it’s a bit difficult for me.”