For 25 years, MambaOnline has told the stories that others would not.
It has reported on violence and injustice, amplified unheard voices, and created space for queer joy, culture, and connection in South Africa and beyond. For many LGBTIQ+ people, it has been more than a publication. It has been a lifeline.
Now, as it marks this milestone, MambaOnline is asking the community that has sustained it for a quarter of a century to help secure its future.
A legacy built on visibility and resistance
Founded in 2001, MambaOnline has grown into South Africa’s longest-running independent queer media platform, documenting both the struggles and the triumphs of LGBTIQ+ lives.
Its work has earned recognition, including honours from the Feather Awards, but its real impact lies in its role within the community.
“From the beginning, MambaOnline has existed because silence was never an option,” says founder Luiz de Barros. “We’ve documented our community’s realities with honesty and care, even when those stories were difficult to tell.”
But it also tells another side of the story.
“We don’t only report on trauma,” says Managing Editor Nompilo Gwala. “We tell stories of queer joy, culture, and resilience. That visibility is powerful. It reminds people that their lives are valid and worth celebrating.”
Why queer media matters now more than ever
Across Africa, more than 30 countries still criminalise LGBTIQ+ people. Even in South Africa, where equality is protected by law, queer people continue to face violence, discrimination, and exclusion.
Research has highlighted the scale of the crisis, particularly among young people, many of whom experience verbal abuse, threats, and physical violence.
At the same time, global funding cuts to LGBTIQ+ initiatives have placed additional pressure on organisations and platforms that provide essential information and visibility.
Within this environment, independent queer journalism plays a critical role, not only in exposing injustice but in ensuring that accurate, community-led narratives are available.
A small team carrying a national platform
Behind the platform is a two-person core team, supported by contributors across the country. The work is demanding, often emotionally taxing, and sustained with limited resources.
“We carry stories that are often ignored elsewhere, stories that can be painful but necessary,” Gwala adds. “At the same time, we’re creating a space where people can see themselves reflected with dignity. That responsibility is something we take seriously every day.”
Despite these challenges, the work continues, driven by a commitment to ensure that queer voices are not erased.
Write the Next 25
To secure its future, MambaOnline has launched the Write the Next 25 campaign, aiming to raise R300,000 by 1 June 2026 to sustain its journalism.
In a significant show of support, The Other Foundation has committed to matching every rand raised, effectively doubling each contribution, up to a total of R50,000.
“This campaign is about ensuring that independent queer journalism continues to exist and thrive,” says de Barros. “If we don’t tell our own stories, they risk being lost, distorted, or ignored.”
A call to the community
At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful goal: 1,200 people each donating R250 to the MambaOnline Foundation NPC.
A once-off – or ongoing – contribution that, collectively, will help sustain a platform that has served the community for 25 years.
“If MambaOnline has ever helped you feel seen, informed, or connected, this is your moment to give back,” says Gwala. “It’s about community showing up for something that has always shown up for them.”
For many young LGBTIQ+ South Africans, MambaOnline remains a first point of access to information about identity, safety, and support. Without reliable queer media, misinformation can quickly fill the gap, often with dangerous consequences.
Every contribution counts
“No amount is too small,” says de Barros. “Every contribution helps ensure that queer lives are seen, valued, and defended.”
Each donation directly supports the work, from reporting on violence and discrimination to amplifying diverse voices and celebrating queer culture.
The first 25 years were shaped by courage, resilience, and a refusal to be invisible.
The next 25 will be shaped by collective action.
Donate R250 (or even R2,500). Be one of the 1,200 people helping to secure the future of queer storytelling in South Africa.
Help us write the next 25. Donate here.
