Why We Love Nakhane: South African actor and musician Nakhane has faced persecution since he starred in the film The Wound as a gay man in the Xhosa community. Nakhane won Best Actor at the Durban International Film Festival for the role, but soon South Africans were threatening to kill him and he had to leave the country. As a gay man himself, he knows the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility in black communities. He told GQ, "The erasure of queer bodies in Xhosa initiation rites is incredibly dangerous." He came out with his album "You Will Not Die" in February 2019, which he wrote after leaving his church, which promoted anti-gay ideology.
Nakhane's Style: If you were going to reduce Nakhane's style to one word, that word would be bold. His looks often feature simple, clean lines paired with a jaw-dropping statement piece — for example, Nakhane has started wearing suits with a BDSM-style harness underneath to his live performances. With every masculine look he wears, there is a touch of femininity added. By infusing queer statements pieces and feminine touched into his wardrobe, Nakhane has created a signature look.