This story by Rethabile Mohono, which The Eye originally published on 29 January 2023, is part of a series produced with support from the Arcus Foundation and the National Endowment for Democracy. It emerged from Taboom Media’s October 2022 journalism training workshop in South Africa.

MASERU, Lesotho — Napo Kuoape, who identifies as gay, is a newbie in the comedy sphere. The 19-year-old student at New Millennium International School in Maseru is making waves on social media by using his talent to change narratives and perceptions about queer bodies.

“When I entered the comedy industry, I said to myself, it’s high time queer people tell their own stories their way without any influence from other communities,” he said.

Kuoape, who grew up in Motimposo just outside Maseru, said he always felt like a black sheep. Being the funniest person in his group of friends helped him to escape discrimination and turned him into a mini comedian. He took his cue from renowned local comedian Bofihla ‘Neko, popularly known as Lilaphalapha. 

“I used to watch Lilaphalapha’s comedy videos. I admired his confidence and sense of humour. That is how I was inspired to start my own content, and when I did, people loved it,” Kuoape said.

He started posting content on Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube in 2019 and soon took his show on the road, performing for audiences across Lesotho.

“My comedy revolves around the LGBTIQ+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer] community. I’m trying to display or rather expose different characters of queer people in order to inform and educate Basotho that there is nothing bizarre about being different, rather different people should be loved, embraced, and supported for who and what they are,” he said.

Despite his impressive social media following (24,000 followers on Facebook and 1,000 on YouTube), Kuoape said he still faces challenges for being an openly gay comedian, mostly from homophobic people who try to disparage his talent due to his sexuality.

“The moment I went into comedy; I knew not everyone would love me or enjoy my art. Nonetheless, being constantly disrespected, offended, and discriminated against for being gay really affects me,” he said.

Kuoape says social media bullies often call him “setabane’,” a Sesotho slur for LGBTIQ+ community members.

“Instead of feeling offended by the name, I embrace who I am and keep on doing what I love. That’s basically what kept me going,” he said.

Beyond homophobic attacks on social media, Kuoape has also faced discrimination at school, a common reality for LGBTIQ+ students in Lesotho who are harassed, discriminated against, stigmatized, and even banished due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. 

“I can vividly recall one teacher who was very homophobic towards me. I have never felt so humiliated, everyone giggling and laughing. From that day I knew school was not a safe space for people like me,” he said. 

Kuoape shared the discrimination he faced on social media and received support from The People’s Matrix Association, an NGO that supports LGBTQI+ people in Lesotho. 

“They approached the school, and the matter was settled. I am currently allowed to be who I am without fear,” Kuoape said. 

According to Dee Malelu, Faith and Advocacy Coordinator at the People’s Matrix, most schools are not safe places for LGBTQI+ students, and many who identify as part of the community are expelled.

In such cases, the People’s Matrix works with the Ministry of Education, parents, and other schools to ensure that banished students are enrolled in different schools that are more inclusive. 

Malelu, who uses they/them pronouns, said their organization is working tirelessly to sensitize people on different issues affecting the LGBTIQ+ community, especially within Lesotho’s education system.

“We sensitize principals, teachers, and students to ensure that they understand that there is a diversity of people within schools,” they said. “We know the education system still imposes things like female students [being required] to wear dresses while boy students are strictly expected to wear trousers, so we are working together with the Ministry of Education to ensure the system is inclusive of everyone and people are free to express themselves.”

Mongale Rasupu, a Life Skills-Based Sexuality Education (LBSE) teacher from ‘Mampota High School in Berea, recommends that teachers and principals be given in-depth workshops on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression so that they can better understand students that are part of the LGBTIQ+ community.

“If teachers and principals are well informed on matters surrounding the LGBTIQ+ community, it would make life easier for LGBTIQ+ students to be accepted in schools,” he said.

Rasupu added that part of his work as an LBSE teacher is to ensure that LGBTIQ+ students are comfortable and do not face stigma and discrimination.

He recalled a scenario where a student who identifies as a lesbian was stigmatized and discriminated by female students.

“Girls were somehow uncomfortable using the same bathrooms with her. This made her lose confidence. I had to chip in and talk to students to treat her like any other student,” he said.

Parents of students who identify as part of the LGBTIQ+ community said they are also concerned about the safety of their children in schools.

“I believe we [parents] also need education on LGBTIQ+ related issues,” said one such parent (name withheld to protect their identity). “We love our children and we want to support them, but due to lack of information, we turn to abandon them.” 

Kuoape agrees there is still a lot to be done to ensure all students feel safe in schools.

 “Every student needs to feel safe, not only LGBTQI+ students but also students living with disabilities, and underprivileged students,” he said, adding that it is also his job as a comedian to produce content that promotes the safety of students in schools.