Anru Meyer – First drag queen in Tshwane politics

When the 26-year-old Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Anru Meyer puts on red lipstick and pink high heels, he turns into his alter ego Blue Da Leblu the outspoken, first drag queen in Tshwane politics.

Meyer was born and raised in Pretoria and said he never dreamt of a career in politics. “Politics just happened. In 2014 I couldn’t vote because I only turned 18 later in the year, but I registered anyway,” he said.

Being involved in the DA

Meyer said he wanted to know who to vote for and decided to get involved with the DA. “I started with the opposition; it was the obvious choice.”

Meyer was the first DA Students Organisation University of South Africa branch chair and later joined the subcommittee for regional media as a photographer.

“They asked me to apply to be a councillor.

“I didn’t even know what a councillor was or did.

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“I was an official of the professional body of the DA by the age of 19 and sworn in as a councillor,” he said.

Meyer is currently DA whip for the Section 79 oversight committee of utilities.

“In a nutshell, I keep the opposition councillors on their toes.

“I enjoy what I do because every day is different,” he said.

Meyer said it doesn’t scare him when councillors attack each other during council’s sittings.

“I want to take out the popcorn and enjoy the drama,” he said.

Drag Queen

In 2020, Meyer went to a Halloween party and was encouraged to dress up.

“I was hesitant, but I remember trying on my mother’s shoes as a young boy.

“I asked a friend to help me dress up in drag makeup and clothes.

“It was a weird feeling, I doubted myself a little but was excited.

“I wondered what my family would say because they are not completely conservative but they are like a little gay is okay,” he said.

Meyer said he started dressing up more to figure out where he fits in.

“You get different types of drag queens, some like to model, some like theatre and others do comedy.

“After some thought I decided I’m going to do drag in politics.

“Evita was out, old news like the ANC. We are done with that,” he said.

Meyer first tested the water at the party caucus breakaway.

“I wore pink heels with a nice shirt without makeup,” he said.

Meyer also attended the following council meeting held during Women’s Month in his bright pink high heels.

He decided the DA 2024 campaign soft launch was D-Day to reveal Leblu.

“I told no one. I wore a pink outfit with big hair and pink heels.

“As I arrived, I got cold feet. The DA is a liberal party but not everyone is equally open-minded. Most people didn’t notice I was Leblu,” he said.

Meyer went in full drag to the next council held in Heritage Month.

“I thought the speaker was going to chase me out, but nothing happened,” he said.

Meyer said Leblu was considering going into satire and politics.

He likes the idea of a drag artist. “It’s about going into character and putting up a show.

“Cross-dressing is more like I am a man who likes to wear a dress and high heels, not necessarily the makeup,” he said.

Meyer was 12 years old when he tried applying his mother’s mascara.

“It was a flop. When my mother got home, she immediately asked why I had mascara on,” he said.

Now, Meyer applies his own makeup after a friend initially helped him.

“Leblu became more demanding and popped out more frequently, so I had to learn to do makeup,” he said.

Meyer said not everyone is fond of Leblu.

“They say she’s a b***h.

“She’s just straightforward. Anru is a bit drawn back, unlike Leblu who says it like it is,” he added. – marizkac@citizen.co.za