Phuti Lekoloane has never been one to follow the path—he’s been too busy paving his own. As South Africa’s first openly gay male footballer, Lekoloane has long stood at the intersection of visibility and vulnerability, advocacy and adversity.
From his early days growing up in Moletjie Ga Matabola, Limpopo, to now leading the charge for queer inclusion in African sport, Lekoloane is not only making history—he’s making space.
“I didn’t come out to make headlines,” Lekoloane tells MambaOnline. “I came out because I was tired of erasing myself to fit into a space I loved. My journey isn’t just mine—it’s a crack in the wall for others to walk through.”
From Cleaner to Changemaker
Lekoloane’s story is far from conventional. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he worked as a cleaner in a marketing agency. But he didn’t just mop floors.
“I would walk into offices and ask people how things worked and how I could help,” he recalls. “Eventually, they fired me. But what they didn’t know was that they sparked something.”
That spark ignited a movement. Today, Lekoloane is the founder of the Phuti Lekoloane Foundation, which received the Best LGBTQI Youth Movement award at the 2023 Feather Awards and an International Award at the Football v Homophobia Awards in Glasgow.
Fighting for Visibility and Survival
Despite the accolades, funding remains scarce. The foundation operates without consistent sponsorship, relying heavily on passion and resilience.
“We’re struggling,” Lekoloane admits. “We need real support to grow and sustain this movement. This isn’t just about sport—it’s about visibility, safety, and rewriting what’s possible for queer African youth.”
This year’s African Pride Games, an inclusive continental sporting event, is set to take place from 26 September to 27 October 2025 at Rabie Ridge Stadium. Sponsorship opportunities remain open.
“Even in the face of that reality, we’re pushing forward—because we know what’s at stake,” he says.
Grounded in Community and Nature
Although he’s become a prominent international voice, Lekoloane stays grounded in the things that bring him peace—mentorship, music, movement, and moments of stillness.
“Nature and community are my therapy,” he shares. “Mentoring, laughing, dreaming with young people. Music. Dancing it out. Or just silence.”
And it’s his community that’s held him through the journey. He credits support from his local Royal House as life-affirming.
“That alone shows that homophobia is a choice,” he says. “People can choose to love, support, and uplift you.”
A Message to the Next Generation
To young LGBTQIA+ people across Africa, Lekoloane has a message of hope and truth:
“You don’t have to be loud to be proud. Your journey is valid, even if it’s quiet right now. You are not broken. You are not alone.”
While Lekoloane dreams of one day living in Canada, a country he views as safer, his heart remains firmly tied to Mzansi.
“I’m still writing my own narrative,” he says. “This time, on my own terms.”
