Yaya Mavundla was born as a male gender but is now a proud woman.
Yaya Mavundla (born 1 August 1988) is an award-winning South African transgender activist, publicist, entrepreneur, and media personality. She is a publicist for stars many top celebrities and has worked with Zanele Muholi and Lerato Kganyago.
Mavundla has become a known voice for being a transactivist. She is also a media personality and fashion entrepreneur.
| Yaya Mavundla | |
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| Short Profile | |
| Full name: | Yaya Mavundla |
| Born: | 1 August 1988 (age 35 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Kranskop, Kwa-Zulu Natal |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Gender: | Transgender woman |
| Occupation: | Transgender activist, publicist, entrepreneur, media personality |
| Years active: | 2014-date |
| Clothing line: | Queer Comfort |
Early Life
Yaya Mavundla was born on 1 August 1988 in Kranskop, deep rural Kwa-Zulu Natal. She grew up in a rural area with her grandmother Siphiwe Mavundla.
Her family wanted her to be a dentist but never tried to change her from her young days. Her mother left her when she was two months old.
Career
Mavundla started her journey as a transgender journey in 2014. Muholi snapped her first photograph. Earlier in her life, she had identified as a gay man.
The trans activist earned recognition after winning the Socialite of the Year gong at the Feather Awards.
Although, being a transgender influencer wasn’t part of her plans at first. She was living her life to the best of her knowledge and was authentic. Brands began to notice her and showed interest in working with her.
After she did a thing, many people began to pay attention to it. If Yaya got a product, people would ask about the source to get theirs.
After noticing these actions and their benefits, Yaya began to take influencing seriously. She is a community advisory board member at Wits RHI Transgender Clinic.
Yaya is the first Transgender Woman in Africa to wear The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress photographed at Constitution Hill. She is the curator and brains behind the Layers of a Transgender Woman exhibition at Constitution Hill’s Woman’s Jail.
Mavundla believes influencing can be lucrative. Brands are more likely to work directly with a person as an influencer.
The trans activist has worked with transgender organizations such as Gender DynamiX in Cape Town. She has also worked with Pretoria-based Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA).
The publicist has a passion for fashion. She launched her first clothing line, Queer Comfort. She channels half of the profits to assist black transwomen with access to hormones and education.
Reality Show
Trans rights activist Yaya Mavundla has landed herself a new reality show Becoming. The show, which premiered on Mzansi Magic in April, exposes viewers to the emotional pain she experiences. She searches for her mother, whom she has never met.
The reality show, which has 13 parts, will delve deeper into the psyche of a transgender person. It also covers the challenges they need to overcome. She got a phone call from Mam Basetsana Khumalo to be part of the show.
Personal Life
Yaya Mavundla has met some people who love her genuinely. However, she feels dating as a transgender woman is tricky. She is currently single.
Yaya was assigned a male gender at birth but lives and identifies as a woman. On Wednesday, 9 June 2021, the Department of Home Affairs gave her an ID confirming her new gender. She had no challenges getting her ID except getting her mother’s details.