help zuko with his transition 52155 Campaign

Hello everyone, I am ZUKO MANUNDU , a trans man in Cape town Observatory originally from the Eastern Cape. 

 

Growing up as trans male in South Africa hasn’t been easy especially growing up in rural areas. It is even harder as a queer community member to live as the society that is ailing to accept and live with us yet some of us survive due to the miracle of the one above 🙏

 

Growing up I faced several challenges such as domestic violence and bullying. It made it very difficult for me to keep track of my own responsibilities. As a trans man I had to spend my time thinking what societal challenges that led me to drug use which was the only way for me to survive. I would be six feet underground by now because of a society that wished to end my life. I guess right there we shared something common at least.

 

Not having a sense of belonging is the biggest challenge as a human being but it cuts deeper when you feel you don’t even belong to your own self.

 

 For the past 8 years of my life I have been drug user. It was a waste of time, energy, and life. It was adventurous but I won’t use drugs ever again and I don’t wish for anyone to end in substance use. 

After my rehabilitation I had to live at home because I felt the trap of living a life that wasn’t mine. As you know our challenges as the queer community include a culture that rejects us. I felt the need to be exposed homelessness otherwise home wasn't home anymore .

Being homeless turned out to be a blessing I was rescued by a guy named CARLOS MOSQUITOTER who was a leader of the RAINBOW HOUSE. I told him my story and he took me in and also introduced me to an organisation that helps develop homeless people around Observatory (OBSID) . I was also introduced to Triangle Project and Gender Dynamix; QUEER COMMNITY ORGANISATIONS 🌈 They became the amazing part of the journey because I received the support that my life required. I was also introduced to Wits RHI hospital by Khanyi from Gender Dynamix where I received my T shot.

Recently I dropped out of college to bullying of students and lectures ,I now work as a general worker at Triangle Project. It feels so amazing working with your people who respect and love you for who you are🙏🌈

 

I write here asking for helping hands otherwise I am stuck with this body for rest of my life because our public sector takes more than 25 years to complete the whole surgery. Thank you 🙏