Abstract
Queer representation in African literature, particularly in IsiZulu texts, remains underexplored despite South Africa’s progressive legal framework. While queer rights are protected, cultural and societal perceptions of queerness are still debated. IsiZulu literature offers valuable insight into how queer identities are constructed and contested within traditional African contexts. This study critically examines the portrayal of queer identities in selected IsiZulu literary works. It evaluates whether these representations challenge or reinforce heteronormative ideologies, assesses the influence of cultural and social contexts. The research addresses a significant gap in African literary scholarship, countering the misconception that queerness is foreign to African cultures. Using a qualitative research design, the study employs textual, thematic, and intersectional analysis. The theoretical framework integrates queer theory to explore the intersection of queerness, culture, and societal norms. The study reveals that earlier IsiZulu texts often depict queer identities as disruptive, reinforcing heteronormativity, while contemporary texts offer more nuanced and progressive portrayals. Themes of gender performativity, intersectionality, and cultural resistance emerge, indicating an evolving narrative on queer representation. The research contributes to African literary studies by decolonising queer scholarship and fostering a deeper understanding of queer identities in indigenous literature. It calls for broader engagement with queer narratives in African languages and suggests expanding future studies to include audience reception analysis. This study provides a foundation for rethinking how African cultures engage with and represent queerness in literature.