Mpumelelo Ninge

[,4pumi was passionaiely interested in documenting and recording life stories and he was closely involved with GALA on a number of projects over the past five years. Through our shared excitement about projects we had iniiiated together, we developed a close perconal friendship. [...] The GALA team and lwillmiss his presence a lot, especially the sense of fun and excitement that he brought to everyihing hedid. Dr. [...] He was a broadminded and tolerant person with an inclusive kind ofvision, and he was able to feelcomfortable and at ease with many different kinds of people. [...] Mpumi had great dreams, which we oftei_r used to discuss with relish. He was sure that one day he would make it big, and although his fantasies included buying fabulous clothes and cars and leading a royal life, as befllted the Queen Bee that hewas, they also included helping others, and especially young and struggling people to get an education. [...] He was a very kind and generous person, sometimes to the point where people took of advantage of him. [...] He was both inspiring to work with and he drove me up the wall - he was "naughiy" and mischievous. This is partofwhat made people love him- he was not someone who sat in a corner and accepted the constraints of good behaviour Joanne has written of his dreams of "making it big". [...] He discussed ideas with me about explo ng the issue of gay and lesbian sangomas. At that stage he knew one person who knew someone who was a lesbian sangoma. [...] He started doing the research for the film and spent over a year hanging out with the gay and lesbian sangomas in Soweto whom he befriended. [...] ar-][LLNqNq ]lrfy'r5Ex)ALry A5 LrN aFzaaN It was in the last three years during the sangoma project and documentary that I got to know Mpumi well. [...] The fact that we don't have these stories is due to the stigma and the silence and ihe secrecy.