Day two of the Eastern Cape Literature Festival presents a compelling programme of dialogue that moves across faith, identity, culture, resilience, and inclusion, centred on lived experience and bold African literary voices that are reshaping how we think about identity, culture, and the world we live in.
The day concludes with a powerful discussion facilitated by Phemelo Motene around LGBTQI+ lived experiences:
Between Belief and Becoming: The Queer Struggle for Belonging
This closing session features Siya Khumalo, Vuyo Ngcofe and Wesley Roodt reflecting on LGBTQI+ lived realities shaped by faith, traditions and social expectation. The panel engages questions of identity, visibility, and acceptance, exploring what it means to become fully oneself in environments that often demand restraint or silence.
Look out for more powerful discussions on Day 3!
Production Credits
Facilitator | Phemelo Motene
Panellists | Siya Khumalo, Vuyo Ngcofe and Wesley Roodt
About the Artists
Phemelo Motene
With over 20 years in the media industry, Phemelo Motene began her career at Metro FM, where she was a newsreader and Saturday afternoon radio presenter. Phemelo achieved star status when she acted as Khensani Moroka on the popular SABC 1 soapie, Generations.
Following a brief hiatus to focus on her business interests . Phemelo returned to the media industry to begin her talk radio journey at Talk Radio 702, where she was executive producer of politics, lifestyle and business content. Motene has hosted weekend breakfast at 702, where she grew the audience to the highest it has ever been for the station at that timeslot.
Motene hosted lunchtime, Monday – Friday at SAfm and is currently the current affairs talk host at Kaya 959 weekdays 8 and 10 pm. She has been lauded by icons such Dr. John Kani, Sam Nhlengethwa and William Kentridge for her engaging, well-researched interviewing skills. “Best interview in years if not ever.” Prof Zakes Mda (SA Book Fair 2018).
Vuyo Ngcofe
Vuyo Ngcofe is a transgender man and interdisciplinary visual artist. He is the founder of Trans Conversations, a trans rights organisation in the Eastern Cape. Vuyo’s work engages questions of gender, culture and belonging. Through his work, he explores the intersections of trans masculinity and Xhosa identity, challenging rigid understandings of manhood within traditional and contrary contexts.
Siya Khumalo
Siya Khumalo is an award-winning South African author whose work critically examines the intersections of religion, politics, sex, and technology. His publications include You Have to be Gay to Know God (Kwela Books, 2018), and The Queer Book of Revelation (2024). His socio-political commentary is regularly featured in major publications, including Daily Maverick and News24, where he unpacks systemic governance, civil rights, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. He is a former member of the South African National Defence Force, a former Mr. Gay South Africa runner-up, and was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow (2022). He continues to speak, write, and consult on systemic change.
- Venue: Olive Schreiner
- Location: Monument Building
- Programme type: LitFest
- Genre: Literature
- Duration: 60 minutes
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Ages:
ALL AGES
- Language: English
