zethu Matebeni

zethu Matebeni is a South African sociologist, writer, filmmaker, curator, and activist whose work has been central to the development of African Queer Studies. Their scholarship explores sexuality, gender diversity, race, decolonial feminisms, African queer life, and transnational Black feminist knowledge production. Through research, writing, filmmaking, and public engagement, Matebeni has challenged dominant narratives about gender and sexuality while amplifying African LGBTQ+ perspectives.

Matebeni served as the South African Research Chair in Sexualities, Genders and Queer Studies at the University of Fort Hare from 2021 to 2024. They are currently a Visiting Professor at Nelson Mandela University's Centre for Women and Gender Studies and have held academic and research positions at institutions including the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape.

Matebeni is the editor or co-editor of several influential books, including Reclaiming Afrikan: Queer Perspectives on Sexual and Gender Identities, Queer in Africa: LGBTQI Identities, Citizenship and Activism, and Beyond the Mountain: Queer Life in "Africa's Gay Capital." They also co-directed the documentary Breaking Out of the Box: Stories of Black Lesbians, documenting the experiences of Black lesbians in South Africa.

In addition to scholarship, Matebeni is the founder of MATI Archives, a transnational platform for research, culture, and community focused on Black queer knowledge and creative practice. Their current work connects African queer life, decolonial feminisms, and transnational Black feminist knowledge production across South Africa and the wider Black diaspora.