“Uhambo Lokuphila”: Trans Conversations in the Eastern Cape with Vuyo Ngcofe

In a country where the experiences of trans and gender-diverse individuals are too often silenced or misrepresented, Vuyo Ngcofe, Founding Director of Trans Conversations, is using the power of film to bring authentic stories to the forefront.

Their new short documentary, Uhambo Lokuphila, shines a much-needed spotlight on trans and gender-diverse lives in the Eastern Cape, a region often overlooked in national dialogues about queerness and identity.

“Uhambo Lokuphila is more than just a documentary; it’s an archive of trans and gender-diverse stories of living, loving, hurting, and healing,” Vuyo shares. “It was born from the urgent need to reclaim our narratives, to move beyond the stories written for us, about us, and without us.”

For Vuyo, the decision to centre the Eastern Cape wasn’t just about geography but about home. “I am from the Eastern Cape, from a small village called Bhalasi location, outside of King Williams Town,” Vuyo explains. “As trans people here, we are often overlooked in national conversations, yet we are rich with resilience, complexity, and life.”

The film is deeply personal, weaving together the stories of Vuyo and fellow activists Siyanda Mhlom and Aphelele Duma. Each story reflects the everyday realities that trans and gender-diverse people face. From the challenges of navigating gender binaries in schools, what Siyanda describes as a “prison of gender binaries”, to the harrowing accounts of sexual abuse and homophobia, Uhambo Lokuphila is both unflinching and tender.

“My own story speaks to the sexual abuse I experienced in my early 20s,” Vuyo says, “a deeply painful chapter, but also a necessary one to share. It speaks to the violence many queer and trans people endure, often under the justification of ‘teaching us a lesson.’”

Yet the documentary is not solely about pain. It is also a testament to resilience and community. “All our stories are important,” Vuyo asserts. “They are not just stories of pain, but of survival, resilience, and truth. And in telling them, we hope others feel seen, heard, and less alone.”

The film highlights urgent challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse people, particularly in rural and township communities: invisibility, violence, and mental health struggles stemming from constant stigma and rejection. But it also celebrates the strength that comes from building chosen families and safe spaces.

“What I hope viewers take away from this documentary is a deeper understanding of the complexity of trans lives beyond just pain and trauma,” Vuyo explains. “I want them to see our humanity, our joy, our dreams, and the strength it takes to keep showing up in a world that often tells us we shouldn’t exist.”

As the Founding Director of Trans Conversations, Vuyo sees Uhambo Lokuphila as an extension of their mission: to foster dignity, safety, and belonging, particularly in rural communities. “Trans issues are not just ‘urban issues’ or political talking points. They are lived realities in villages, townships, and cities alike,” Vuyo says. “I hope this documentary opens up deeper dialogue, pushes for more inclusive policies, and, most importantly, reminds people that our lives matter everywhere.”

The journey of making Uhambo Lokuphila was as emotional as it was transformative. Vuyo credits the deep bonds of friendship and trust within the team, including co-director Siyanda, who provided essential psychological support, ensuring that sharing these vulnerable stories felt safe and empowering. “We were not just telling stories but we were holding each other through them,” Vuyo reflects.

Looking ahead, Trans Conversations plans to take the documentary beyond its initial screening in Gqeberha. Vuyo envisions screenings across South Africa, in rural villages, townships, schools, and universities, combined with workshops and dialogues that challenge stigma and build empathy. “Trans Conversations is not just a project, it’s a movement. We are just getting started,” Vuyo says.

For Vuyo, Pride Month is a time for authenticity, community, and celebration, but also a reminder of the work still to be done. “Sometimes Pride is quiet resistance. Sometimes it’s survival,” they say. “I hope the film reminds queer individuals, especially those in places where acceptance is still a challenge, that they are not alone. That their stories matter. That they are enough and worthy of joy.”

Uhambo Lokuphila is a rallying cry for visibility, healing, and transformation, an invitation for all of us to listen, learn, and stand in solidarity with trans and gender-diverse communities everywhere.

Watch the short film on Facebook here.