Selogadi Mampane, the first black woman to win a gay leather title in South Africa, has excelled at the 2015 International Ms Leather (IMsL) contest in San Jose, California.
On Saturday, the Pretoria-based queer activist, academic and artist was named the runner up, with Becca Bee taking the title.
It’s believed to be the first time that an African contestant has taken part in the IMsL event.
Mampane is a self-described “sexual outlaw… working towards being a peace-builder, specifically around issues of gender and race” and is completing a Master’s in Drama at the University of Pretoria.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me! I have had the honour of being part of an incredible class of contestants,” said Mampane on Facebook.
“I would not do anything differently, I am so proud of myself and I am so happy to be representing South African leather womyn,” Mampane added.
Mampane was crowned Ms. SA Leather 2015 in December last year in Cape Town. It was the first time in the event’s four year history that women were allowed to enter the contest after the SA Leather organisation opened up its membership to all in the LGBTI community.
Watch a video of Mampane’s IMsL speech below.
2 Responses
It is always great to see South Africans making their presence felt internationally.
The IMsLBB community was excited and honored to have been able to host Selogadi!
Quick correction to facts (for historical reference)-
Becca Bee came in 2nd for the International Ms. Bootblack title.
Sarge was named International Ms. Leather 2015, and Tabitha was named International Ms. Bootblack 2015