Summit 2019: Success Capital-Dumisho Gatsha

Mr Gatsha is from Success Capital which is an NGO. They have launched a digital storytelling project that documents lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ youth, curates community led and affirmative narratives, and links grassroots experiences and policy makers. The objectives of the project are to document the human rights situation of LGBTIQ+ youth and to establish sound messaging techniques, content and tools for variant forms of advocacy.

With the support of partners (African Queer Youth Initiative, CIVICUS and  International Youth Alliance for Family Planning), Mr Gatsha explained that the activities of the project were to create online campaigns for the community, creating community focused videos, poetry and other arts.

The project operates on a budget of P30, 000.00. With this they have been able to reach a total of 10,000 people. Of those, 60% were women, 15% were men and 25% were trans, non-conforming, non-binary.

Monitoring and Evaluation

There is at least one report on lived experiences, one change agent lead for data collection and dissemination in key locations nationwide; documentation of visuals, poetry, summary cards and briefing papers. Furthermore, they have observed at least 10000 engagements from social media via sharing, likes and views, and at least 1000 downloads of their report.

Results and Lessons Learned

Although there were challenges of insufficient funding and lack of sustained volunteer engagement, Mr Gatsha reports that the LBTQI women have a voice; ARTivism is being used for digital showcasing; they have media coverage from Gabz FM, IPS, Afrolutionist, Daily Maverick & other media outlets and they have developed community advocacy tools. The lessons learned were that the community is resilient, dynamic and ready for engaging publicly; that issues need to be unsexualized and politicized and that systemic focus should address issues of patriarchy, privilege and power.

Sustainability and Replication

Mr Gatsha explained that sustainability of the project was dependent on technology as it safeguards long-term access and dissemination of research & visual outputs. Consequently, conversations and partnership were vital for replication.