It was a messed up mixed time for S.A.

In 1974, for the first time in South Africa’s history, a law recognising the rights of transsexuals was passed. The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 51 of 1974 provided the legal foundation for—ostensibly white—South Africans who had “undergone a change of sex” to alter their “sex description” in the country’s birth register. The discussion in the South African parliament made several points clear: this was a matter that those present felt sympathetic towards; there was a sincere belief that an individual was able to change sex, but only with the assistance of medical professionals; and members agreed that legislation should be put in place to assist, rather than aggravate, this process. Furthermore, there was a very clear understanding that the political State should have control over the designation of “correct” sex.

Which was a good news if you were trans. The problem was they used that against gay recruits in the army. If your were "incurrable" They sometimes decide the cure was to make you the "suitable" gender.

This is one victim's story

I was just turned 18 when I joined the SADF in 1985. Shortly I found that I was bissexual and began to engage in homosexual relationships with others. About a few months later the authority summoned me to enquiry and requested me to have the "treatment". They forced me to recognize I was a homosexual before my parents and colleagues. They applied electroshock treatment on me. The electroshock treatment last for over half a year, which failed to "cure" my "disease". Then they administered medication on me without telling me what that was actually about. When the effects of hormones therapy became irreversible, they presuaded me through continued counselling that only a change of sex can cure my disease. They pushed me to the operation table to have the gender reassignment surgery.

I was discharged from the military after the surgery, at the age of 21, with no psychological and medical follow-up. They changed my birth certificate and gave me new identity papers to recognize my new gender identity as a female.

I felt shame, anxious, depress after discharge from the military. I did not know how to live with the new gender role. Having been seen by my parents and others as a freak, I leaved my home and went to Johannsburg. As a woman with only secondary education, it was difficult for me to find a good-earning job in the male dominated society of South Africa. I found a job of waitress in a restaurant, which hardly supported my living and continued medication of hormones. I tried very hard to adapt.

I met my first husband at the age of 23 and married him a year later. He was not good to me and we divorced 3 years later. I met my second husband at the age of 29 and married him at 31. The second marriage also did not work and we divorced in just 3 years. At the age of 36 I met the present husband and married him a year later. I am now 45.