‘For a reclamation of our humanity’: Neoliberalism and the decolonization of gender Praxis – An analysis of the UCT trans collective

Abstract

Following the recent #RhodesMustFall movement, the UCT Trans Collective’s actions, in particular, have shown the necessity for decolonizing gender praxis, relations and expressions in South Africa and how this is related to ways in which we might break free from the structural violence inherited from the apartheid regime. As demonstrated by the actions of this collective, I will argue that gender relations should be central to social transformation, rather than a postscript to social struggles, as has often been the case historically. However, when thinking about decolonization and structural violence in general, I would further argue that cognizance needs to be taken of how gender and decolonization mainstreaming may become co-opted by neoliberal ideology to become commodified. Here the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari can make an important contribution, especially in terms of their notions of micropolitics, nomadology and the war machine and how these relate to capitalism.