Simon Nkoli collection, 1977 to 1998.

Format Electronic
PublicationJohannesburg, South Africa : Gale, 1977-1998.
Description1 online resource (150 manuscripts (6,556 pages)) : photographs.
Supplemental ContentGale, Archives of Sexuality and Gender: International Perspectives on LGBTQ Activism and Culture
Subjects
Nkoli, Simon, 1957-1998.
Nkoli, Simon, 1957-1998--Correspondence.
Nkoli, Simon, 1957-1998--Political activity. --South Africa.
Gay rights--South Africa.
Gay liberation movement--South Africa.
Gay people--Political activity. --South Africa.

SeriesArchives of Sexuality and Gender: International Perspectives on LGBTQ Activism and Culture
Archives of Sexuality and Gender: International Perspectives on LGBTQ Activism and Culture. UNAUTHORIZED
Abstract Simon Tseko Nkoli (sometimes referred to as Nkodi), 1957-1998, was a prominent South African anti-apartheid, gay and lesbian rights and HIV/ AIDS activist. Charged with treason in 1984 together with twenty-one other political leaders in the Delmas Trial, Nkoli came out to his fellow trialists while a prisoner. This helped to change the attitude of the ANC to gay rights. Following his acquittal and release from prison in 1988, Nkoli founded the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW). As part of the NCGLE he helped in the campaigns to retain the inclusion of the protection from discrimination in the Bill of Rights in the 1994 South African constitution, and for the May 1998 repeal of the sodomy laws. Nkoli also helped establish Soweto's Township AIDS Project (TAP) in 1990, and after becoming one of the first publicly HIV-positive African gay men, he initiated the Positive African Men group based in central Johannesburg. He died in Johannesburg in November 1998. The Simon Nkoli collection covers the most significant period in lesbian and gay political history in South Africa. Its highlight is over one hundred letters written during Nkoli's detention in the Delmas Treason Trial (1985 - 1987). These letters are a testimony to Nkoli's extraordinary courage, and through this personal account give an insight into the day to day experience of being in detention. The collection includes other material relating to the Delmas Treason Trial; copies of letters from the international community in response to an Amnesty International Urgent Action appeal; Nkoli's correspondence with international gay and lesbian organisations; and material which documents the controversy that arose at the 1986 International Gay Association conference around the continued membership of the Gay Association of South Africa. Roy Shepherd collected most of the material and stored it before he gave it to GALA. Shepherd's papers include material about Christianity and homosexuality. Nkoli also donated some papers and photographs. In 2001, Roderick Sharp donated copies of further letters, badges, as well as some photographs. Further donations were made by Max, Marx, Beverley Ditsie and Lindiwe Malindi.
General noteDate range of documents: 1977-1998.
General noteReproduction of the originals from Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA).
General noteIncludes the following subcollections: Correspondence, 1977-1998 -- Creative writing -- Delmas Treason Trial -- HIV/AIDS materials -- Interviews and articles -- Memorial service/death -- Miscellaneous -- Organisational records -- Personal information -- Photographs -- Speeches.
General noteImages from the source libraries are selected contents of the original collection materials as representative of their value and pertinence to the digital product.
LanguageEnglish, Afrikaans, Sotho, Tsonga.