Thomars Shamuyarira
Thomars Shamuyarira (he/him) is a Zimbabwean born activist, public speaking enthusiast, and the Founder and Director of The Fruit Basket, a grassroots organisation based in Johannesburg that supports LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers through safe housing, skills training, psychosocial, asylum and other support. Driven by his own lived experience as a trans refugee navigating displacement, discrimination and the challenges of starting over in a new country, Thomars founded The Fruit Basket to create the kind of community and support system he wished existed when he arrived in South Africa. His work is rooted in care, solidarity, and a deep belief in the power of visibility, dignity and joy, especially for those too often pushed to the margins. Under his leadership, The Fruit Basket has grown into a trusted refuge and advocacy platform, working to shift policy, raise awareness, and ensure that trans and queer refugees are protected.
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