
Chedino
South Africa, 2012 - present
For the past 13 years, Chedino Martin — a transgender activist and beauty pageant organiser — has graciously let me follow her personal journey to become Miss Trans Global Africa. Chedino’s story has unfolded alongside the wider struggle for LGBTQ rights in South Africa. While the country slowly grew into its role as Africa’s largest economy, she too was carving out a place for herself in the world.
Unable to afford gender-affirming surgery, Chedino’s only option was to join the waiting list at the Transgender Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town — one of the few units in the country performing such procedures. With surgical time for only four operations each year, the wait could be endless. For those unable to pay the $16,500 private fee, the system offers little more than hope. In August 2017, after 17 years of waiting — including seven years on the clinic’s official list — Chedino was finally wheeled into the operating theatre at Groote Schuur.
Since then, her life has been marked by personal milestones: marriage, the continuation of her Calendar Girls beauty pageant in Cape Town, and a first trip abroad to represent South Africa at the Miss Trans Global pageant in the UK, where she placed fifth. She is now preparing to compete at Miss Universe in India at the end of 2025.
Calendar Girls remains central to her work as an activist. What began as a beauty contest has become a platform to celebrate older women, challenge stereotypes around ageing, and address the mental health struggles that often remain hidden in her community. Through it, Chedino continues to make space for others to be seen — just as she has fought for her own place in the world.
Chedino, backstage, during a Divas in Cabaret performance, Fergus Inn, Elsies River, 2012.
Chedino, backstage, Divas in Cabaret, Fergus Inn, Elsies River, 2012. Divas in Cabaret was a lip-sync group formed by Chedino.
Britney Misty Daniels performs as part of Divas in Cabaret, Fergus Inn, Elsies River, 2012.
Chedino, Divas in Cabaret, Elsies River, 2012. The group performed covers of songs by Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, and Tina Turner.
Chaz, photographed at Alanzo’s house, Matroosfontein, 2014.
Chedino cuts the hair of a friend at Miss Whall’s house, Ravensmead, 2014. Aside from her job in a call center, Chedino worked as a hairdresser to earn some extra money.
Chedino’s friend Miss Whall, photographed in a bar in Gugulethu, 2014.
Chedino at her mother’s house, Heideveld, 2014.
Chedino’s younger sister Nikita at home, Heideveld, 2014.
Chedino & Alicia backstage during the Miss Temptation pageant, Athlone, 2014. Chedino performed during the pageant breaks.
Alanzo, one of Chedino’s oldest friends, Matroosfontein, 2014.
Chedino's friend Alicia performs part of Divas in Cabaret, Rosie's Inn, Elsies River, 2014.
Chedino orders a drink during the Miss Temptation pageant, Athlone, 2014. By this time, Chedino was no longer allowed to take part at the pageant, as she had begun her hormone treatment.
Chedino at her mom's house, cutting the hair of her cousin, Heideveld, 2014.
Chedino with a hangover, Ravensmead, 2014.
Chedino reads through the paper work that she received from Groote Schuur Hospital in preparation for her gender-affirming surgery, Heideveld, 2017.
3 days before her gender-affirming surgery, Chedino poses in the home she shares with her fiancé Keagan and his Deaf parents, Hanover Park, 2017.
Chedino and her fiancé Keagan, Hanover Park, 2017. Chedino spends most of her time at Keagan’s home.
Chedino arrives at Groote Schuur Hospital for check-in, Cape Town, 2017.
Dr Kevin Adams, a senior specialist in plastics and reconstructive surgery, photographed outside his office, Claremont, Cape Town, 2022.
The day before Chedino’s surgery, Dr Gertrude van Niekerk (center) and Dr Kevin Adams (obscured by van Niekerk) drop by for a last check up as well as to discuss the position and outline of Chedino’s breasts.
Chedino cries in a waiting room, moments before being wheeled into the operating theatre, Groote Schuur Hospital, 2017.
The right hand belonging to Dr. Kevin Adams, during the five-and-half hour gender-affirming surgery of Chedino, Groote Schuur Hospital, 2017.
The surgical information board lists the procedures that were carried out on Chedino during her surgery. The bandages were hung up and counted to make sure none are left inside the patient.
Two teams of surgeons worked on Chedino during the procedure: one team focused on the "top" surgery while Dr. Adams carried out her "bottom" procedures, Groote Schuur Hospital, 2017.
Keagan visits Chedino on her first night after the operation, Groote Schuur Hospital, 2017.
A nurse checks Chedino’s dressings, a day after her gender-affirming surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, 2017.
Chedino shows off her new breasts to Keagan and his mother (right) and a few of her friends, Groote Schuur Hospital, 2017.
Chedino cries out in pain while lying in bed at Keagan’s home. Together with Maria, Keagan’s mother, they would nurse Chedino through the first few weeks after surgery, Hanover Park, 2017.
Keagan operates a braai during Chedino’s welcome home party, Hanover Park, 2017.
Keagan organised a party to welcome Chedino home after she was released from hospital. Chedino leans on her friend Coco, for support, while Sandra Dee (left) looks on.
Keagan slides the last of three wedding rings onto Chedino’s finger during their marriage ceremony, Marriage Office, Department of Home Affairs, Cape Town, 2018.
Diana, one of Chedino’s bridesmaids, careful unpacks Chedino’s wedding dress so that she can steam and iron it, Heideveld, 2018.
Surrounded by curious neighbours Chedino gets into the limousine which will take her to the wedding venue at Muizenberg Civic Centre, Heideveld, 2018.
Chedino at Claremont Gardens, a famous spot for wedding pictures. But the weather was so bad that Chedino decided not to go ahead with her pictures, and told the driver to take them straight to the venue.
A private moment between Chedino & Keagan in the limousine on their way to Muizenberg Civic Centre, Cape Town, 2018.
From left to right: Chedino’s cousin Keyoma, Melissa, Chedino’s sister Nikita, Chedino, Diana, Wilma & Jada, Muizenberg Civic Centre, Cape Town, 2018.
Chedino shows off her new fake eye lashes, Hanover Park, 2019.
Chedino & Keagan relax in bed on their one year anniversary, Hanover Park, 2019.
Chedino & Keagan enjoy a quiet moment, St. James Beach, Cape Town, 2019.
Chedino rehearses a dance routine with her dance partner, Shane, in the living room of her aunt Michelle (background middle), Belville, 2022.
Mjay (right) marks lines and points on the self made tailoring template of the future dress for Chedino. Mjay is a 2022 Calendar Girl contestant and made third place.
Chedino's mom 60's surprise birthday party, Alanzo's house, Matroosfontein, 2022.
Chedino marches against gender-based violence during the first Delft Pride parade, Delft, 2022.
Getting ready for the Miss Gay Arabella 2022 pageant, Hanover Park, 2022.
Taking a break from her duties as head judge, Chedino cheers as drag queen Emogen Moore performs during the Miss Gay Arabella pageant, Grassy Park Civic Centre, 2022.
Chedino sorts out her friend Jada's hair, a contestant at the Miss Gay Legacy Extra Over 40s Only pageant at St. Mary's Church, Retreat, 2022.
Chedino poses for a portrait in the outfit that she wore when she won Miss Transgender South Africa 2020/21 at the Governor's Office in the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, 2022.
Chedino prepares the crowns for the winners of her Miss Calendar Girl beauty pageant at the Retreat Hotel, 2022.
Chedino walks in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, 2022. The last time she was in Kirstenbosch, Chedino was still in primary school.
Chedino poses for a portrait as part of her Miss Trans Africa beauty pageant submission. She would go on and win the pageant.
3 days before the start of Miss Trans Global, Chedino goes for a walk in a nature reserve, Guildford, U.K., 2023. This is the first time Chedino left South Africa and compete at an international pageant.
Miss South Africa, Chedino Martin on the first day of the Miss Trans Global pageant, backstage at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Chedino showers at the Travelodge Hotel where all contestants are residing, Woking, U.K, 2023.
Chedino holds on to her corset as MTG director Miss saHHara loops and tightens its laces, backstage, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
During Chedino's 'About My Country' Q&A with the judges, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Chedino and her fellow MTG contestants use the Underground to travel to central London for a sightseeing trip. From left to right: Miss Nigeria Alexandra Etim, Chedino and Miss Thailand Piano Akaros.
Miss France, Miss Argentina, Miss Nigeria and Chedino wait to begin practicing their preliminary evening stage walks. Due to organizational issues, the contestants were often left to rehearse on their own.
Miss Trans Global contestant Miss Wales, Eva de Jesus, in her quinceañera ball gown, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Miss Trans Global contestant Miss France, Kevhoney Scarlett, shows off her black swimsuit backstage, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Miss Trans Global contestant Miss Canada, Diana Dee Barrera, in her quinceañera ball gown, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
A distraught Chedino, moments after blanking in the middle of an answer during the Q&A segment of the Miss Trans Global pageant, backstage, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Miss Trans Global contestant Miss Scotland, Jessy Tusi Hardy, in her quinceañera ball gown, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
An exhausted and emotional Chedino looks out the window, as Miss France, Kevhoney Scarlett, wakes up early in the morning on the third day of the pageant, Travelodge Hotel, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Chedino poses in her national costume: a golden body suit with a sun crown and cape, paying homage to South Africa's illegal mine workers.
Miss Trans Global contestant Miss Italy, Rica Quines Santos in her national costume, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K., 2023.
Miss Trans Global's contestants pose in their national costumes. Chedino said her feet were causing her so much pain that she'd returned to her dressing room to rest and missed out on the final group photo.
MTG director saHHara (left in red) sweeps the stage as Chedino slumps on the Queen's throne during a 5 crowning marathon on the pageant's final day, during which each contestant experienced being crowned queen.
After competing in MTG, Chedino traveled to Nottingham to visit her cousin Lynn whom she had not seen in 5 years. Daughter Erin was especially enamored with Chedino and didn't leave her side their entire week together.
Chedino and her mother, Alma, Heideveld, 2023. Although they share a rocky past, there is much that connects Chedino and Alma. A former beauty queen herself, and one of the first to whom Chedino disclosed that she was transgender.
Chedino, backstage, Mr & Ms Sovereign Western Cape, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone, 2024.
Chedino on stage, Mr & Ms Sovereign Western Cape, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone, 2024.
Contestant Ayanda Nino, Mr & Ms Sovereign Western Cape, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa, 2024
Garth Arnolds, Mr & Ms Sovereign Western Cape 2023 winner walks on stage, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone, 2024.
Chedino, ALicia & Jemma, backstage, Mr & Ms Sovereign Western Cape, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone, 2024.
Chedino, backstage, Mr & Ms Sovereign Western Cape, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone, 2024. Chedino didn't make it to the top three.
Chedino prepares for a photo shoot - images that she needs for her Miss International press kit in India, Cape Town, 2025.