The constitution’s Equality Clause ensuring non-discrimination because of sexual orientation was not South African exceptionalism or simply the benevolence of the ANC: it was the result of consistent work by anti-apartheid gay activists, including black women

As these three sad stories show, refugees and asylum seekers who happen to be gay are subjected to the double stigma and violence of homophobia and xenophobia in the Rainbow Nation that has some of the most progressive inclusive laws in the world

In post-apartheid South Africa, sexual violence has become a socially endorsed punitive project for maintaining patriarchal order. Black township lesbians have not benefited from legal protection because of important weaknesses in the justice system. These need to be addressed

The seemingly bizarre performance by the deaf signer at Nelson Mandela’s memorial is a manifestation of disorder in South African society. Service delivery protests and the shadow of Marikina haunts the nation, among many other socio-economic and political ills

South Africa has been praised for progressive laws relating to women’s reproductive health. Free state-performed abortions have increased to 500,000 since 2004. But still, controversy and resistance have led to inadequate implementation of the law