In the heart of South Africa’s townships, where acceptance can be hard to find, Victoria Marumo—known to many as Nosie—has carved out something precious: a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community.
What began as a single party in her neighborhood has blossomed into Mzansi Queer Support, an organization that’s becoming a lifeline for marginalized voices across the country.
The journey started organically. When Marumo hosted a party that drew a significant queer attendance from her township, she recognized something profound: her community was hungry for spaces where they could simply be themselves. “I saw that our queer community needed a safe space,” Marumo reflects, describing the moment that would reshape her life’s work.
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KFC backs potential of 200 young people with R5m in education feesFrom that initial gathering, Marumo began hosting more events specifically designed by and for queer individuals. But her vision extended far beyond social gatherings. She saw an opportunity to create lasting change through skills development, media representation, and comprehensive support structures—all under the umbrella of Mzansi Queer Support.
Central to the organization’s mission is Mzansi Queer Radio, an online platform that serves as both a voice of education and a beacon of expression for the LGBTQ+ community. The station represents more than just entertainment; it’s a training ground where hope meets opportunity.
“We have a lot of young people coming in to help the station with some of them being trained from scratch learning skills like presenting, scripting to editing and content creation,” Marumo explains. For many volunteers, particularly unemployed youth, the radio station offers their first taste of professional media skills and a pathway to potential careers.
Operating from Marumo’s own home in Roodepoort (located in Gauteng’s West Rand), which she has generously opened as headquarters for both Mzansi Queer Support and the radio station, the organization embodies the grassroots spirit of community-driven change. Yet this intimate setting also highlights the resource challenges they face. The organization actively seeks equipment, office space, and stipends to support their dedicated volunteers.
Looking ahead, Mzansi Queer Radio is preparing to launch an innovative audio series that promises to tackle one of society’s most persistent challenges: ignorance and prejudice toward the LGBTQ+ community. These carefully crafted stories will serve as educational tools, designed to reach beyond the queer community to the broader public.
“We are addressing stereotypes and homophobia in our society,” Marumo states, outlining the station’s ambitious goal to use bite-sized audio content as weapons against discrimination. The approach is strategic—recognizing that changing hearts and minds often happens through personal stories and human connection rather than confrontation.
Mzansi Queer Support stands as one of the few organizations in South Africa actively championing marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals through practical support and skills development. Their work represents a bridge between communities, fostering understanding while empowering those who have traditionally been silenced.
For those inspired by Marumo’s vision, the path to involvement is clear. The organization welcomes support through their social media channels, where updates on activities and opportunities for engagement are regularly shared. Victoria Marumo can be reached directly via LinkedIn for those seeking to contribute to this vital work.
