Power and Identity: An Introduction to Sexualities in Southern Africa

‘The time has come for re-thinking sexualities in Africa’ (Arnfred,
2004: 7). This special issue arose from conversations between the editors
and other scholars re-thinking and re-imagining African sexualities
during and after two conferences – ‘Writing African Women – Poetics
and Politics of African Gender Research’; and ‘From Boys to Men:
Masculinities and Risk Conference’ – both held at the University of
Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, in January 2005. This was
followed by a ‘Call for Papers’ and reviewing in the usual way. The issue
comprises seven articles and four book reviews, along with, sadly, the
obituary of Ronald Louw, a pioneering figure in the South African gay
movement and in gay scholarship.