Thabsie Mabezane
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
32
Project Name/Description:
Human Rights Defender, Media Manager
Meet Thabsie Mabezane, a passionate South African trans woman and fearless human rights defender who is rewriting the narrative for LGBTIQ+ communities. Known for her activism rooted in personal experience, Thabsie has become a powerful force for inclusion, safety, and dignity in spaces that have long silenced queer voices. Mabezane believes that her journey is one of extraordinary resilience. “Rejected by family and displaced for over 15 years, I transformed pain into purpose. A survivor of abduction after a Tinder encounter, I now champion online safety and rights for displaced queer people. My activism, shaped by these deeply personal trials, focuses on policy inclusion, media advocacy, and creating affirming communities,” Mabezane said. Thabsie’s work spans grassroots and global platforms. She serves as Acting Media and Program Manager at Lebo Basadi Foundation and Media Manager at Mzansi Queer Radio, amplifying marginalised voices. As part of the UN Human Rights Commission’s Women Human Rights Defenders program, she advocates internationally for queer safety and visibility. “My recent graduation from Safe Place International’s Advanced Leadership Program and media features on Power FM, SABC News, and Newsroom Africa mark just some of my triumphs. My standout moment was being featured in an IDAHOBIT [International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia] exhibition in Gauteng, and being celebrated as a displaced trans woman activist,” added Mabezane. Thabsie measures success through lives touched and policies changed. She hopes to be remembered as a bold, loving advocate who challenged oppression and made space for others to live freely and authentically.
