Pride Month in Mzansi: South Africans raise the flag in unity [watch]
The first-ever Pride event in South Africa took place in October 1990. Here's everything to know about Pride Month in Mzansi.
2022 marks 32 years since the first Pride Parade in South Africa. On 13 October 1990, the first Pride March — organised by the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (Glow) — took place in Johannesburg. The purpose of the event was to provide a wider platform to voice various political concerns.
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THE HISTORY OF PRIDE MARCHES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Beverly Ditse, who is described as “the woman who helped liberate lesbians everywhere” was one of the speakers at South Africa’s first Pride March. Other speakers included activists Justin Edwin Cameron and Simon Nkoli who passed away in November 1998.
“I am black and I am gay. I cannot seperate struggles. They will all be one struggle,” Nkoli said at the historic event.
Since then, Pride Marches have taken place across the country in places like Soweto, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Gqeberha.
Just wanted to remind you guys that October is also a pride month in South Africa… to commemorate the first South African and African Pride event. pic.twitter.com/6EkFhH0Ppv
— Vitamin Cee(@__Celo_) June 30, 2020
SIMON NKOLI’S IMPACT
Simon Nkoli had a remarkable impact on the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa. According to MambaOnline, Nkoli also fought against HIV/AIDS and was one of the first openly HIV positive gay men in Africa.
During his activism years, he was one of the first queer people to meet former president Nelson Mandela. Nkoli was also the subject of Beverly Ditse’s documentary, Simon & I.
The documentary takes a deep dive into the LGBTQI+ movement in South Africa. The film features interviews and archive footage.
WATCH ‘SIMON & I’ HERE
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HOW IS SOUTH AFRICA CELEBRATING PRIDE?
Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johannesburg Pride is returning to the City of Gold on Saturday 29 October. The event will take place in Sandton on Rivonia road and entry is free!
More details are set to be announced soon.
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