Vongani Nkuna

"I'm a nudist, a naturist, and a Christian. I'm a black African, Tsonga to be exact (from Limpopo), and I have a story you might like. It's about naturism and me. To the curious and the self-conscious, I'm coming out of the closet, opening up about a lifestyle I've kept secret until now.

Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, I write with my wife's consent. She's guilty by association, but this story is not about her.

I was with my family when a new naturist beach made headlines. A site on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal had been made official as South Africa's first legal nudist beach. I sat there, silent and stiff-necked with a poker face, pretending to be disinterested. On the inside I was beaming from ear to ear.

Religion

But religion rendered our naturism problematic and I couldn't shrug it off. You can't just shrug off formative years, growing up in some form of piety. I grew up in the Zionist Christian Church (ZCC).

Christian or not, we're trained to be "decent" from a young age and, given humankind's loonies, you can't fault anyone for that. After infancy, nudity is often shamed and sexualised.

Discovering Naturism

I can't pinpoint the moment of my discovery, but I guess it was on the internet, browsing about swinging and polyamorous lifestyles. Back then I was confusing naturism for swinging — both are alternative lifestyles where things lead to nudity, and nudity is synonymous with sex, right? My wife and I aren't swingers but I wanted to know more.

Back from work, I'd often strip down.

What I'd worn in the morning would feel heavy and grimy, so — unclothed and comfortable — I'd be reluctant to pile up the laundry with a fresh set of clothes so late in the day. Sometimes I'd go bare, other times I'd sport the bare minimum.

We didn't have offspring then, so it was easy. I'd seen toddlers gleefully nude, why not adults?

Public Nudism

I accept the concerns around public indecency, but naturism is practised alone or with like-minded individuals in a secluded, nonsexual environment, usually on private property
As I learnt more about naturism, it started feeling like something I wanted to do, especially when I began to perceive it as something healing and revitalising. My body didn't cringe and recoil at the thought and, interestingly, I'd been unwittingly practising it.

I brought the idea to my wife. Without branding me a weirdo by a facial expression, she listened intently.

Black & Nudist

The first couple of times, as a minority, we had the sense that everyone had their eyes on us. We're like rare, exotic parrots that are easy to spot. But the absence of black people wasn't enough to deter us socialising with anyone at nudist events.

From what I've seen, naturists don't really care. But I'd be naive if I painted a picture of perfection. Even with the beneficial qualities of self-respect and respect for others, which naturism is about, there may be a few who don't like our presence. It doesn't matter — I've yet to see blatant meanness and, based on reactions, I get the impression people would love to see some racial balance.

It's safe to say black naturists are few and far between. Bumping into each other is a novelty in itself. A modern-day excuse is "I swilo swa valungu" (It's white people's things). And by racialising the nonracial, you miss the train. Letting go of conservative beliefs for an unconventional path — which may or may not prove a better way of life — is daunting.

Why Nudism?

I like social nudity because it makes me feel warm, uplifted, and light within nature. My mind quietens, the load melts off my shoulders as my skin enjoys the sun. The air soothes my body and soon enough I forget trivial things. The conversations bring smiles and merriment and I feel energised.

As we delight we harm no one, contravene no laws and do not sexualise anybody, not even each other.

Our bodies tell a story and naturists are brave enough to let their bodies tell theirs. It's rare to see a naturist with slumped shoulders.

"Me and my wife kept it a secret from our friends and family until 2020 and I think the lockdown assisted us in coming out of the ‘closet’ of being naturists, it became claustrophobic" - Vongani Nkuna, Naturist

Radio interview:
https://www.702.co.za/articles/417631/a-nudist-bares-his-soul-on-why-he-decided-to-become-a-naturist

Meen! Wahala de, wahala full everywhere.. well, I know some people will hypocritically comment on this though but it's their choice.. since they're a couple! But what will their kids think or they might have the family curse

Manq:
Meen! Wahala de, wahala full everywhere.. well, I know some people will hypocritically comment on this though but it's their choice.. since they're a couple! But what will their kids think or they might have the family curse

Well, this is how God created man. Adam & Eve didn't come in Levi jeans. So it can't be wahala

Nice for them....

TMKsouth:


Well, this is how God created man. Adam & Eve didn't come in Levi jeans. So it can't be wahala

Your opinion

Poor horses.

Dem sofry close their eyes.

See no evil....hear no evil.

Nudism is only for the rich.
A poor man that's nude will be tagged a madman and sent to the psychiatric hospital.

There is nothing like nudist or nudism. It is actually a mental disorder. They should visit the psychiatrist and have their brains evaluated

This wowed me

MODERNIZE ADAM AND EVE

Was expecting to see breast and maybe kpekus. Not impressed

It truly has to be a disorder.
How about cold weather? They use leaves or what? Abeg. Next News

Upon all the nudist, nudist, dem still no show anything mtsheeeeew

The second picture is dope! I love those horses. Very natural indeed.

I would like to be their neighbour. On days when I'm not at work and also bored, the female nudist will keep my eyes busy.

I can be a nudist too.

I no see any nude for here o

khadaffi:
There is nothing like nudist or nudism. It is actually a mental disorder. They should visit the psychiatrist and have their brains evaluated

You are stuck in the middle ages son

daddytime:
Poor horses.

Dem sofry close their eyes.

See no evil....hear no evil.

Lol , the horses' expressions in the first pic are classic. U made me laugh.

Kriss216:
Was expecting to see breast and maybe kpekus. Not impressed

I think that's why the thread trended

SporaD8:
The second picture is dope!
I love those horses. Very natural indeed.

I totally agree. Dope shot

Nudist and still covering the a$$ with cap? They are not serious

khadaffi:
There is nothing like nudist or nudism. It is actually a mental disorder. They should visit the psychiatrist and have their brains evaluated

It’s not a mental disorder. Nudism is natural and relaxing way of doing regular activities simply without restriction of clothing. If the weather is not extremely cold, clothes are actually not needed or neccesary. And nudism doesnt equate sex.

Hotspotbro:
I can be a nudist too.

I’m nudist and naija and christian.

But you are still hiding.

Come out and bare it all.