Nomsa Buthelezi

“In this industry, one can make you feel inferior because they themselves are empty inside, shame souls. I'm Nomsa Buthelezi-Shezi. I'm content with myself and I don't need to kiss your toes to make you like me”

“My children and I have a very open relationship and we talk about everything. They understand my sexuality. Yes, they were bullied at school but my children made the other children understand that 'hey! If your mother has a husband, then my mother can have a wife and that's that”

“Dear big girl, breath. Joy comes in the morning. Hold on. I'm proudly queer and I'm a big girl with talent. Being kind is free”

“Have you ever been down but you keep smiling? I go through homophobic slurs almost daily but they never sat down with me and to know my sexuality is not a disease. In the industry, I keep on being told 'you don't look the part', but they never gave me a chance. Kubuhlungu. Even those you call family spit on you”

“The joy of being me and having people that appreciate me for MY TRUTH is PRICELESS”

“I want my children to say Our mom raised us to be who we truly are, The joy of having my coffee with NESTLÉ CREMORA after spending my past lying that I love my coffee black but the truth was I NEEDED SOME CREAM IN IT”

“Knowing that everyone has RIGHTS and government now recognizes the LGBTIQIA+ Community as people that need their protection and their respect too”

“An inclusive South Africa means Freedom to live, it means a Country where I'm not seen differently. A safe country for all who live in it, where I get men who respect a Lesbian woman and not feel inferior because I married a woman not a man”

“Your wedding day is all about you and your partner sharing your happiness with your family and close friends. I’ve decided that I won’t have any bridesmaid at my wedding. I’ve had too many friends turn on me, so only my children will be at the front with me. The few good friends that I do have will wear a special colour that matches with ours to show who they are”

“As a same-sex couple, we have had way too many people smile with us, only to turn and say nasty things about us. Or people that pretend to be happy for us, but wish bad things for us. We don’t want such energy on our wedding day”

“You would think I’m focused on things like décor, food and outfits, but I am not. I know exactly what I want when it comes to those kinds of elements and my wedding will be simple, but perfect. I’ve been more focused on making sure that the people who are there deserve to be there”