Voice of inclusion award for Nontembeko Boyce
The Speaker of the KZN Legislature, Nontembeko Boyce, said that although she may not remember what she did to receive the recognition, however it was a humbling gesture.
Shelly Beach resident Nontembeko Boyce recently received the Voice for Inclusion Award for advocating for the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) community.
Boyce, who is the speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, received her honorary award at the inaugural eThekwini Pride Recognition Awards held at the Ushaka Marine Aquarium in Durban last Thursday.
The awards were held under the theme: “Honouring Excellence, Visibility, and Advocacy in the LGBTQIA Community.”
According to Mantsa Khuzwayo of eThekwini Pride, the award celebrates individuals whose voices extend beyond private advocacy, resonating in policy-making arenas and shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
Khuzwayo said Boyce has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice, diversity, and representation.
“Through her leadership, she has consistently used her platform to champion LGBTQIA+ rights, influence progressive policies, and ensure that inclusion is not just an aspiration but a reality in governance. Her dedication to amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices at the highest levels of government exemplifies the very spirit of the Voice for Inclusion Award,” she said.
Meanwhile, Boyce said that although she may not remember what she did to receive the recognition, it was a humbling gesture.
She added that she appreciated the organisers and the LGBTQIA community that she works with, who have taught her a great deal.
“Since the journey with this community, I have also had to unlearn a few things. This is because of the ANC, which over the years instilled many lessons of breaking down the walls of discrimination and opening doors of inclusion.
The very ANC that was served by the likes of Simon Nkoli, who was unapologetically black, gay and a freedom fighter. The ANC allowed me to champion its policy on equality and non-sexism on any platform, and created space for a public representative to speak with many and interact at an equal level.”
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