January 2025 — Publication of Trans Memoir, “I Am Tshiamo: My Transition to Self-Acceptance and Womanhood”, South Africa
Published in January 2025 by Penguin Books, Tshiamo Modisane’s “I Am Tshiamo: My Transition to Self-Acceptance and Womanhood”, became the fourth trans memoir to be published in South Africa, after “Always Anastacia: A Transgender Live in South Africa” by Anastacia Tomson, Landa Mabenga’s “Becoming Him: A Trans Memoir of Triumph”، و Elise Bishop’s “Twee Lewens”.
“Growing up as Kgositsile, meaning ‘king’, Tshiamo Modisane always knew that she was a girl despite her assigned birth gender. This talented child of a pastor from KwaThema and Daveyton townships near Johannesburg was expected to conform to conservative black culture’s expectations for a male, and would endure censure and even abuse from family, friends, peers and strangers into adulthood. Yet Tshiamo began making courageous choices at the age of five, a journey of both self-doubt and self-belief that culminated in gender-affirmation surgery in her thirties. With sass, faith and baked-in confidence from her family ties to the entertainment world, she successfully transitioned from male to female while navigating a career as an actress, celebrity stylist and Lux’s first gender-non-conforming brand ambassador. As admirable as it is affirming, this poignant memoir examines past hurts and present truths, and opens up a sorely needed discussion about unconditional acceptance.” (Source: Penguin Books)
Tshiamo Modisane is an award-winning producer, actress, and fashion and celebrity stylist. She began her career in entertainment as a wardrobe stylist intern, has worked for True Love, Move! and Drum magazines, written a lifestyle and entertainment column for The Citizen, and starred in television series African Dreams and House of Zwide. Accolades include being named the 2022 Sowetan SMag Woman of the Year in Fashion and Beauty, Hot Chick of the Year at the 2019 Feather Awards, and being the first gender-non-conforming brand ambassador for global brand Lux. Since her transition in 2018, Modisane has graced several magazine covers, produced her own podcast and, in 2021, after surviving being sexually assaulted, established the Linzy-Linsay Foundation to create a safe space for people like her to develop skills and make a greater contribution to society.
Watch an interview with Tshiamo: