​Corrective rape - also called curative or homophobic rape - is a hate crime in which one or more people are raped because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The common intended consequence of the rape, as seen by the perpetrator, is to turn the person heterosexual or to enforce conformity with gender stereotypes.

Photo by www.iol.co.za

The term corrective rape was coined in South Africa after well-known cases of corrective rapes of lesbians such as Eudy Simelane (who was also murdered in the same attack) and Zoliswa Nkonyana, became public. Popularisation of the term has raised awareness and encouraged LGBTIQ people in countries across the world to come forward with their own stories of being raped as punishment for and/or in an attempt to change their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Although some countries have laws protecting LGBTIQ people, corrective rape is often overlooked, resulting in little to no prosecution of perpetrators.

Society is grappling with notions of sexuality. Some people still find it hard to accept same sex relationships, and some unfortunately, continue to kill and rape lesbian women in modern day South Africa.

This story, located in the township of Soweto, looks at the notion of intolerance, following the life of a lesbian woman who has been impregnated by her rapist.

Written and directed by Tapuwa Moore, this production is one of two solo works presented by Johannesburg City Theatres as a means of nurturing scriptwriting and the realization of scripts through staging.  The play interrogates a vital issue within the South African milieu and through it, the Soweto Theatre hopes to stimulate dialogue around this vital issue, through the cathartic practice of the arts.

The play, “Pregnant Lesbian”, will be staged as follows:

Date:    Thursday, the 4th of October to Sunday, the 7th of October 2018


Venue:  Soweto Theatre, Cnr Bolani Link and Bolani Rd, Jabulani, Soweto, 1868

Times:  20:00 Thursdays to Saturdays and 15:00 on Sunday.

Admission: R100

Tickets can be obtained from www.sowetotheatre.com or by calling the Soweto Theatre Box Office on 0861 670 670.