Ntsikelelo Meslani – best known as Lelowhatsgood – has burst onto Johannesburg’s creative scene in recent years and made it his own. While he is now an internationally renowned DJ, writer and cultural curator, his heart still lies in his passion project, VNJ Ball, which since launching in 2019 has become a safe and celebratory space for the LGBTIQA+ community. Leaning on the historical importance of ballroom culture (rising out of the queer Black and Latino communities of 1960s NYC), Meslani is dedicated to fostering the vogueing scene in South Africa. It was one of the first countries in the world to recognise the equal rights of queer people in 1996 and considered a beacon within the African context considering that in many countries on the continent, being queer is punishable by jail time or death. 

But even in Johannesburg, queerphobia still exists, making VNJ ever more vital. It’s gone from a small audience of a couple of hundred attendees to over 2,000 people from all walks of life who flock to its regular downtown balls. For Lelo, the vision was clear from the outset. “When I started DJing, I played a lot of music that came from that scene but there were very limited places to play it, and the idea of having a ballroom space in SA intrigued me a lot. I had no idea of how to run one, but I put together a few friends, got a venue in Braamfontein, made a poster and the rest was history,” he explains.

VNJ is quite unlike any other event in the city. Elaborate make-up looks, gender expression through fashion and a line-up of South Africa’s freshest DJs – including Likky Liks and Lotion as well as performers Kamo Mphela and Mr Allofit – makes it an event no one wants to miss. Whether that is the hesitant queer person looking for belonging, the fearless competitors who take on the stage or even heterosexual people looking to immerse themselves in a culture they have not experienced, there is something for everyone. In the run up to the next event, audiences are chomping at the bit, tweeting “drop the VNJ dates!!!” or posting sneak peeks of the one-of-a-kind outfits they’re planning to wear.

“WHEN YOU’RE IN THIS FANTASY FOR ONE NIGHT AND SHOWING YOUR TRUE SELF, THAT IS THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM”

Tickets sell out almost immediately and tellingly, it’s one of the few events that is immune to Joburg’s notorious pickpockets. The energy is supportive, the music is a transcendent flow of genres and Lelo sits at the DJ booth from where he conducts his creation. But he knows it takes a village to raise VNJ. “It’s the community that makes it a very special place. The idea of people coming together just to feel comfortable in a space is already something we hardly get in the nightlife scene,” he shares. “Good news travels fast, making people curious enough to step into a world that they might not be used to and become one with what it means or stands for.”

Characters like Khaya Mhleli, Nkuley Masemola and the always-ready Mthaux have eaten up the runway, either as death drop experts or beauty category winners. But individuals aren’t the heart of everything, famous Johannesburg ‘houses’ like the House of Diamonds are always ready to bring their bold and blinged out flavour. And the attendees are just as important. LVMH Prize winner Thebe Magugu is a strong supporter, appearing once in a breath-taking full painted version of Tretchikoff’s famous ‘Chinese Girl’ painting. Elsewhere, other masc presenting individuals have used the balls for gender play and many incorporate traditional South African attire into their looks. Without a doubt it’s loud, it’s sweaty, it’s sexy and it’s all about pushing the boundaries, even if that means literally pushing to be right next to the stage. The online community is buzzing and the day after, VNJ is celebrated once more.

Lelo is always looking to the future, for the next gap to spread the VNJ love. Popping up in Cape Town and collaborating with brands such as Nike and Johnnie Walker, the vibe must grow and change. Importantly, it must also go beyond a party. VNJ recently enlisted the help of powerhouse professional dancer Lulu Mnguni to host a series of vogueing workshops. Even timid ballroom fans took a leap to learn the craft, going on to feel empowered enough to compete at VNJ. “I think growing up queer, a lot of us had to hide parts of ourselves or be ashamed because of the constant threats, bullying or discrimination the outside world already gives. So, when you’re in this fantasy for one night and showing your true self, that is the ultimate freedom,” says Lelo.

With booming support from MCs, a panel of celebrity judges and a crowd clamouring at the side of the stage, there’s no doubt that VNJ has taken on a life of its own. Their advice? Just ‘Keep Walking’.

Visit LELOWHATSGOOD
Visit VNJ BALL

CREDITS

Words BINWE ADEBAYO, Photography ANDREW MKHIZE 

Ntsikelelo Meslani – best known as Lelowhatsgood – has burst onto Johannesburg’s creative scene in recent years and made it his own. While he is now an internationally renowned DJ, writer and cultural curator, his heart still lies in his passion project, VNJ Ball, which since launching in 2019 has become a safe and celebratory space for the LGBTIQA+ community. Leaning on the historical importance of ballroom culture (rising out of the queer Black and Latino communities of 1960s NYC), Meslani is dedicated to fostering the vogueing scene in South Africa. It was one of the first countries in the world to recognise the equal rights of queer people in 1996 and considered a beacon within the African context considering that in many countries on the continent, being queer is punishable by jail time or death. 

But even in Johannesburg, queerphobia still exists, making VNJ ever more vital. It’s gone from a small audience of a couple of hundred attendees to over 2,000 people from all walks of life who flock to its regular downtown balls. For Lelo, the vision was clear from the outset. “When I started DJing, I played a lot of music that came from that scene but there were very limited places to play it, and the idea of having a ballroom space in SA intrigued me a lot. I had no idea of how to run one, but I put together a few friends, got a venue in Braamfontein, made a poster and the rest was history,” he explains.

VNJ is quite unlike any other event in the city. Elaborate make-up looks, gender expression through fashion and a line-up of South Africa’s freshest DJs – including Likky Liks and Lotion as well as performers Kamo Mphela and Mr Allofit – makes it an event no one wants to miss. Whether that is the hesitant queer person looking for belonging, the fearless competitors who take on the stage or even heterosexual people looking to immerse themselves in a culture they have not experienced, there is something for everyone. In the run up to the next event, audiences are chomping at the bit, tweeting “drop the VNJ dates!!!” or posting sneak peeks of the one-of-a-kind outfits they’re planning to wear.

“WHEN YOU’RE IN THIS FANTASY FOR ONE NIGHT AND SHOWING YOUR TRUE SELF, THAT IS THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM”

Tickets sell out almost immediately and tellingly, it’s one of the few events that is immune to Joburg’s notorious pickpockets. The energy is supportive, the music is a transcendent flow of genres and Lelo sits at the DJ booth from where he conducts his creation. But he knows it takes a village to raise VNJ. “It’s the community that makes it a very special place. The idea of people coming together just to feel comfortable in a space is already something we hardly get in the nightlife scene,” he shares. “Good news travels fast, making people curious enough to step into a world that they might not be used to and become one with what it means or stands for.”

Characters like Khaya Mhleli, Nkuley Masemola and the always-ready Mthaux have eaten up the runway, either as death drop experts or beauty category winners. But individuals aren’t the heart of everything, famous Johannesburg ‘houses’ like the House of Diamonds are always ready to bring their bold and blinged out flavour. And the attendees are just as important. LVMH Prize winner Thebe Magugu is a strong supporter, appearing once in a breath-taking full painted version of Tretchikoff’s famous ‘Chinese Girl’ painting. Elsewhere, other masc presenting individuals have used the balls for gender play and many incorporate traditional South African attire into their looks. Without a doubt it’s loud, it’s sweaty, it’s sexy and it’s all about pushing the boundaries, even if that means literally pushing to be right next to the stage. The online community is buzzing and the day after, VNJ is celebrated once more.

Lelo is always looking to the future, for the next gap to spread the VNJ love. Popping up in Cape Town and collaborating with brands such as Nike and Johnnie Walker, the vibe must grow and change. Importantly, it must also go beyond a party. VNJ recently enlisted the help of powerhouse professional dancer Lulu Mnguni to host a series of vogueing workshops. Even timid ballroom fans took a leap to learn the craft, going on to feel empowered enough to compete at VNJ. “I think growing up queer, a lot of us had to hide parts of ourselves or be ashamed because of the constant threats, bullying or discrimination the outside world already gives. So, when you’re in this fantasy for one night and showing your true self, that is the ultimate freedom,” says Lelo.

With booming support from MCs, a panel of celebrity judges and a crowd clamouring at the side of the stage, there’s no doubt that VNJ has taken on a life of its own. Their advice? Just ‘Keep Walking’.

TEAMS

Words BINWE ADEBAYO, Photography ANDREW MKHIZE 
Visit LELOWHATSGOOD, Visit VNJ BALL