POLOKWANE – Luthando Njeza wants people to see him for who he is, not just for being transgender.

Using he/him pronouns, Luthando says being transgender is only one part of his life, and he hopes people will get to know him beyond that.

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‘There’s so much more to me’

“I would like people to know that being trans is not all that I am. It is a huge part of me that I will forever appreciate, but there’s so much more to me than just ‘that trans guy’.

I’d like to be seen for my interests, my experiences and my talents.”

A journey that began at 17

Luthando said that he began his transition journey at the age of 17 and started hormone replacement therapy when he was 18. He also had top surgery.

He says transitioning is a personal journey that comes with many challenges.

“It’s not as easy as we make it out to be. There are a lot of factors and risks to be considered.”

Looking back at his childhood, Luthando says he always felt different and that was uncomfortable for him.

“Growing up as a girl, I liked what typical boys liked. I hated everything about being a girl.”

Why he shares his story

By sharing his story, Luthando hopes people will better understand what it means to be transgender and remember that every person has a unique story beyond their identity.