Malume is Xolile Mabuza’s preferred name. He is his chosen gender pronoun. A proud Transgender rights activist and an overall human rights activist sadly passed away on the 13th September 2015. He was the founder and director of Rock of Hope and LGBTI human rights organisation in Swaziland. Iranti produced this tribute along with friends of Malume. there were just so many tributes we not able to add them all, but we hope this tribute honors his memory and the love he had for each of us. RIP Malume, you are sorely missed.

“what happened?”

(so easy. so useless a question).

somewhere in Manzini and Mbabane the sun rises. without you. kuthwe us’Ezwilini.

birds continue to chirp in Nairobi’s arboretum. this morning the
construction workers cat-called me. maybe my face hasn’t registered
grief. who cares that i am in mourning?

(but who am i to mourn you?)

did the stars hide in mourning last night?
did your neighbor’s dog stop barking?
did the rooster not crow this morning?
did the tellers at Shoprite close/ this morning?
shall your being be respected on the day they bury you?

lovers kiss each other in the dark. forbidden. mouths that never
uttered your name.

malume; you who suffered from— and died of – death.

ufike kanjani? ngubani ixesha khona?

i will stop by you, to hold you

catch my breath if i can’t stop time.

and…