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Zakhele Mbhele

Africa Elects First Gay Black Member Of Parliament
Zakhele Mbhele, the first gay black MP to be elected to the National Assembly, was sworn in on Harvey Milk Day

Joe Morgan
22 May 2014


Zakhele Mbhele has become the second gay African lawmaker to be elected to parliament.
Africa has elected its first black gay member of parliament today (22 May).

Zakhele Mbhele, a member of the opposition Democratic Alliance, was sworn in to the South African National Assembly.

He is also the second ever gay MP in an African government, following UK-born Mike Waters' first appointment in 1999.

Mbhele is also the 203rd openly gay member of parliament worldwide since Coos Huijsen became the first, in the Netherlands, in 1976.

Mbhele was sworn in on Harvey Milk Day, commemorating the first gay man to be elected to US office.

In one of Milk's speeches, he said: ‘Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us’es, the us’es will give up.

'And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward.

'It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone.’

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Even in homophobic Africa, it's a new day!

A wonderful way to celebrate Harvey Milk Day

"Fear Eats the Soul"