Drag queen Zenja Collins a true lady and activist for gay rights

Zenja lives in the body of Boksburg resident Henning Joubert.

As a teenager, Henning realised that he was more interested in men than in women, but still wasn’t too sure. At the age of 19, in 1998, he went with some friends to a number of gay clubs.

“From what I witnessed and experienced at the clubs, I realised that this was more me and that I fitted in. I saw myself in that [gay] community,” said Zenja.

Through the clubs he met a guy who also used to be a drag queen.

“He helped me come out, slowly but surely, and made me comfortable with the gay scene,” Zenja explained.

One day he wrote a letter to his mother and left it in her handbag. This was his way of sharing his sexuality with her.

Her response?

“She said she’ll never approve of it, but she accepts and respects it, because this is who I am,” said Zenja.

“It was difficult and she was somewhat resistant, because I come from an Afrikaans family, but with time she started accepting it.”

As Henning’s dad is an “Afrikaanse boere man”, he was very nervous about telling him that he is into men.

“However, he was the most awesome person ever when I came out to him; my mom and dad and my family are the best supportive, most open-minded family ever!” Zenja said.

“I am truly blessed, which only a few gay people can say.”

In that same year, during October, Henning was dared to dress up for a party at Blues Bar, which used to be a gay club in Germiston.

Even though Henning was a gym-bunny with big arms and shoulders, he accepted the challenge, donned a dress, put on some makeup, a wig and high heels, as he has always admired drag queens, and voilá – Zenja Collins was born!

That very evening Zenja entered her first of many pageants – the Blues Bar Miss October. She proudly walked away as the winner and went through to compete in the Miss Blues finale.

“Funny enough, I was crowned Miss Blues,” said Zenja.

Zenja then represented Blues Bar at the Miss Gauteng regionals, where she finished in third position and was selected as Miss Photogenic.

The following year (1999) Zenja received the well-deserved crown for Miss Gay Universe South Africa.

To date, she has taken part in 22 pageants and has 16 titles to her name.

Former Mr Gay SA (1998), George Meyer, taught Zenja how to walk in high-heels and to do the catwalk flawlessly.

The name ”Zenja” originated from George’s aunt, who lives in Greece.

“It’s a beautiful name, it’s something different and it’s not very common – it just stuck with me,” said Zenja, who has graced the covers of numerous gay magazines.

The surname ”Collins” originated from one of her icons, Joan Collins.

In the first 12 years of Zenja’s existence she appeared every weekend, at famous gay clubs.

“Whenever there was an opportunity to drag, I took it by storm. When the drag-bug has bitten, there’s no stop to it,” she said.

Today, as Zenja is a household name in the drag-community, she mostly dresses up for special occasions, such as when she’s invited to judge pageants.

It takes Zenja about two hours to dress from top to bottom. Her makeup alone takes an hour and her hair takes about 20 minutes of her time, as the wig is already styled.

Zenja’s style is sexy, but classic.

“With Joan Collins and Madonna as my icons, my style is Joan Collins-Madonna inspired,” she explained.

Madonna is Zenja’s public persona.

She is specially known for doing Madonna’s Vogue.

Watch Madonna’s Vogue music video:

Zenja is very different to Henning.

“She is the flamboyant part of Henning and prettier than him; the only comparison between them is that both are comfortable with themselves, with who they are as humans,” Henning said.

“Zenja is the image I bring out to fight for gay rights. I am, after all, a gay activist.

“I’ve never had the desire to be a woman, but I respect them. I only believe in the art of being a drag queen.”

In 2012, Zenja initiated her own blog, Zen Entertainment. Now she interviews people as a hobby, not only gay people, but also those celebrities to whom the gay community looks up.

Brümilda van Rensburg and Sorina Erasmus (the Witbank-Flooze from 7de Laan) were among the first celebrities she interviewed.

“They are big supporters of the gay community,” said Zenja, who has also interviewed Evita Bezuidenhout..

“The Witbank-Flooze is so outspoken, open-minded and fun to interview. I also have a lot of respect for Brümilda, because I’ve known her from TV since I was 10 years old.”

An interview with Casper de Vries will be on the blog soon.

Through her blog Zenja tries to help those who experiences difficulties in coming out, because she knows it’s not always as easy as it was for her.

“I want to be a voice for the gay community; it’s not easy to be gay and not be open about it,” she said.

Zenja will also be starting an advice column on Zen Entertainment.

Regarding her ambitions, she is hoping to judge more pageants and tackle more interviews in the hope of providing greater exposure of the gay community.

According to Zenja, people are easily slandered on social medi for who and what they are.

“I am here to shine a positive light on the gay community and to help them,” she explained.

According to Zenja, the world’s view of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual) has improved, but it’s not where it can be.

“Homophobia still exists,” she said.

“We’ve got our gay rights, but, especially on the East Rand, it’s difficult to walk hand-in-hand with a man. You feel uncomfortable.

“That’s a big reason we initiated Zen Entertainment – to broadcast our image to the world, to show that we consist of different personalities, just like straight people, and we’ve also got our problems.”

The biggest lesson Zenja has learned is to treat people with more respect and patience.

“Never judge a book by its cover; you never know what other people are going through. If you treat others with respect it will come back to you,” she advised.

If anyone seeks advice or help they may contact Zenja.

“But first, find yourself inside – it takes time, but don’t be scared,” she said.

“If you feel your family won’t accept you, you’ve still got your family in the gay community.

“If you’re not going to open up towards someone, you’re not going to be a happy person and it could lead to suicide.

“Be open, accept yourself, respect yourself and, with time, your family will start to respect your decision. Don’t worry about what strangers think.”

Her message to the world: Be open-minded; do not judge what you do not know.

“We are human, we deserve to be on earth, and we were created by God, just like you.

“Just let us be. All we want it acceptance and happiness – nothing more.”

Zenja has three furry children (Keeno, Lucy and Kedro) who she loves and spoils to bits!

“I am their Angelina Jolie,” she says.

* Zenja will be on CliffCentral radio station, with Casper de Vries, to talk about Zen Entertainment, on February 12.

Zenja’s details:

Zen Entertainment: https://zenjacoliins.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @Zenja_Collins

Email: Zenjacollins26@gmail .com