Cape Town Pride Magazine 2026

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

WELCOME

Tommy Patterson, Pride CEO

I hope you all had a wonderful festive season in our beautiful Mother City, and I wish everyone a great and prosperous year ahead.

It’s time for our community to shine and show our Pride. This year’s Theme #IAmBecauseWeAre is driven by the spirit of Ubuntu. This year marks two very important milestones in our history: the 30th Anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution and the 20th Anniversary of the legalisation of Same Sex Marriage in South Africa.

Cape Town Pride Month 2026 begins on 5th February with even more events and happenings taking place all over the City, culminating in the Festival and Pride Street Parade and Mardi Gras on the 28th February. Start getting your outfits ready and don’t forget to get your tickets early – they are selling fast and once again are limited to 10000 guests as per our population certificate. Tickets will not be on sale at the gates and can only be purchased online on Quicket. Thanks once again to Golden Arrow Bus Services who will provide free passage to all Mardi Gras ticket holders on existing routes.

We have a full calendar of social, cultural and sporting events lined up. Our Mardi Gras is bigger and better than before with top class entertainment on the Main Stage, a Pride Market, a wide range of foods stalls and an NGO Village where we have more than 40 community groups involved.

We thank our main partner, the City of Cape Town, for their brilliant support. Without the assistance of our sponsors, partners, volunteers, allies and hundreds of people behind the scenes, we would not be able to put on this wonderful experience for the whole LGBTQI+ family.

The Cape Town Pride team will be attending WorldPride in Amsterdam in August, bringing the torch back to Cape Town so that preparations can start in earnest for WorldPride Cape Town 2028. Please register as friends of Cape Town Pride on our website so that we can keep you updated on the biggest LGBTQI+ ever to be hosted in Africa – in our beautiful rainbow city.

Show your Pride and support on 28 February by waving your rainbow flags in solidarity with the proud marchers and groups in the street parade, and let’s fly our colours all around the city during Pride month…

Have a great Pride month – be Out and Proud - but above all be yourself!

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

CAPE TOWN PRIDE BRAND AMBASSADOR

Nkosinathi Sangweni

As we enter this Pride season, we stand rooted in Ubuntu — the truth that our lives are intertwined and our freedom woven together. This year, we honour 30 years of our Constitution and 20 years of marriage equality, reminders of a journey shaped by courage, struggle, and triumph. Even as our community continues to face real challenges, our voices rise, our stories grow louder, and our presence becomes ever more undeniable. Pride remains our declaration that we will not dim our light, that we will continue to love fiercely, and that we will shape a future where every one of us can stand fully seen.

“In the spirit of Ubuntu, we remember that we are because of one another and when we rise together, we become unstoppable.”

FROM THE MAYOR

Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town

t gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the City of Cape Town and all our residents, to extend a warm welcome to everyone taking part in the 2026 Cape Town Pride Festival. Each year, Pride transforms our city into a vibrant celebration of love, equality, and diversity – values that lie at the very heart of who we are as Capetonians.

From 5 February to 1 March, Cape Town will once again come alive with colour, creativity, and unity. The highlight, as always, will be the Pride Parade and Mardi Gras on Saturday, 28 February – a joyful day when our streets burst with music, laughter, and the powerful spirit of inclusion that defines the Mother City. Cape Town is proud to be the most diverse and inclusive city in South Africa. We remain deeply committed to being a place where everyone – regardless of who

they are or whom they love – feels safe, respected, and celebrated. Pride is more than a festival; it is a reminder of the progress we’ve made together and the work we must continue to do to ensure equality for all.

I would like to sincerely thank the organisers and volunteers who make this beloved event possible each year. Your dedication ensures that Cape Town Pride continues to shine as one of our city’s most cherished celebrations.

To all our visitors and residents – welcome, be proud, and enjoy the festivities!

FROM THE PREMIER

Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape

The Western Cape is a province for everyone. No matter your background, culture, political affiliation, or sexual orientation you are welcome here. We pride ourselves on our values of respect and tolerance – this is what defines this remarkable region we call home.

As a province that has its roots in a proud, diverse heritage, we harness this towards building more inclusive communities where every resident feels free and is encouraged to thrive. Our unique diversity is our strength. And our resilience is a powerful tool through which we can overcome the challenges that we face.

Apart from the flair Cape Town Pride 2026 brings to the Western Cape and Cape Town, it is a firm favourite on our social calendar, bringing with it jobcreating economic opportunities, of course, with its characteristically distinctive panache. To the organisers, good luck and well done for all your hard work; to the revelers, please enjoy the festival responsibly.

MESSAGE FROM THE DA CAPE METRO LGBTQIA+ CHAIRPERSON 2026

Councillor Rob Quintas

The Democratic Alliance is once again truly proud to show our support for Cape Town’s LGBTQIA+ communities as well as our visitors from outside of the city and beyond.

We have for more than a decade been an active sponsor and participant of Cape Town Pride, often being the largest group taking part in the Parade and being the only political party to meaningfully support this annual event in both numbers and financial contribution.

It is also a delight to attend an event which will always have relevance and meaning, and we are both proud and grateful that this successful showing of acceptance and inclusion is well supported in this DA run flagship Metro. This year feels like a warmup for World Pride 2028, and the DA must congratulate Cape Town Pride again for its success in securing this global event. On a personal level, I was privileged to be the City of Cape Town’s representative who attended the bid in Medelin, Columbia, and I was thrilled to be part of that team that bought it home.

Pride is an opportunity to take part in a powerful message of hope, resilience, awareness, and have some fun. Importantly we also celebrate our long and often painful fight for the same freedoms taken for granted by persons who do not identify as LGBTQIA+.

And I am always encouraged by how many straight allies, family members and friends show solidarity and march along with us in celebrating our right to exist and be acknowledged.

Although we must celebrate the accomplishments and legislative progress made since 1994 for our community, we must acknowledge that we still have some way to go for all our queer residents to feel secure enough to be themselves and do so without fear.

For this reason, Pride will maintain its relevance, and I encourage all Capetonians from every community to attend some of the different events organized across our City throughout Pride Month which aim to keep the focus on issues and provide safe spaces for people to gather, celebrate and live their truths.

I am excited to meet you at the Pride Parade and Mardi Gras and please do pop in at our gazebos and say “howzit”.

Cllr Rob Quintas DA Metro LGBTQIA+ Chairman

WORLDPRIDE 2026

WorldPride 2026 is heading to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 25 July to 8 August 2026, with major events like the Music Festival (July 31-Aug 1) and the iconic Canal Parade, celebrating 25 years of marriage equality in the city that pioneered it, promising a huge celebration of LGBTQIA+ unity and culture. In addition to celebrating Marriage Equality, more landmark events in LGBTQIA+ history will be commemorated:

• 30 years of Pride Amsterdam

• 55 years since the abolition of Article 248bis, a key legal tool for persecuting gay men (and to a lesser extent, lesbians) in the Netherlands for over 60 years,

• 80 years since the establishment of COC Netherlands, a Dutch LGBTQ+ rights group founded in 1946

Amsterdam is known as a city of tolerance. Home to 180 nationalities, it is one of the most diverse cities in the World. This diversity is also related to their strong and vivid LGBTQIA+ community, which strengthens its atmosphere of tolerance and creativity. Everyone has the right to be who you are and love who you want. The Pride Amsterdam Foundation wants to draw permanent attention to human rights in general and the acceptance and equality of LGBTQA+ persons in particular, anywhere in the world. Pride is a grand celebration and at the same time an impressive plea for the emancipation of LGBTQA+ persons. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the capital to attend Pride Amsterdam. With its partners, Pride Amsterdam offers a range of activities and events in the fields of debate, art, theatre, film, (dance) parties and sports. The highlight is the

famous Boat Parade, where content and entertainment come together to create a vibrant spectacle.

In 2001 the world’s first same-sex marriage was conducted by the then mayor, of Amsterdam, a point of great Pride. The 25th Anniversary of Marriage Equality will be a focal point of WorldPride in Amsterdam. Internationally tolerance for and freedom of the LGBTQIA+ community is under threat, so Amsterdam stands as a beacon having put serious effort into protecting the LGBTQIA+ Community. Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest in Europe, with the whole city celebrating. WorldPride 2026 will be the perfect opportunity to promote the celebration of Pride in a bigger and more meaningful way

WorldPride in Amsterdam will be celebrated over 15 days and will include over 500 activities, World Pride Music Festival from July 31st - August 1st, two-night celebration of music, unity, and pride, bringing together global headliners and cutting-edge DJs, is one of the highlights.

Other events include the Human Rights Conference, an open-air Film Festival, a Wedding Party, exhibitions, sporting events, parties and more.

pride.amsterdam

As the next hosts of WorldPride 2028, a delegation from Cape Town Pride will be attending WorldPride in Amsterdam for the official handover of the event to Cape Town.

To help us get there contribute to our BackaBuddy Campaign here.

Peninsula Tours

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our Cape Peninsula tour. A highlight of this expedition is the visit to Boulders Beach, a pristine stretch of coastline where adorable African penguins call home.

Winelands Tours

Indulge in a sensory symphony as you join our exclusive tour to the Cape Winelands, a paradise for wine enthusiasts nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque vineyards.

City Tours

Step into the vibrant tapestry of Cape Town with our tailored city tour, specially designed for the LGBTQIA+ community. Our inclusive and welcoming itinerary celebrates the diversity and dynamism of this incredible city. 9

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE

WE ARE

The theme for Cape Town Pride 2026 is “I Am Because We Are”, unapologetically replicating the uniquely South African values of Ubuntu. Ubuntu’s core principles revolve around interconnectedness, compassion, and community, famously summarized as “I am because we are” or “a person is a person through other persons”. Key tenets of Ubuntu, and by extension, those of Pride, include collective responsibility, mutual respect, dignity, justice, reciprocity, and the understanding that individual well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the whole community, emphasizing kindness, inclusivity, and sharing. An additional tenant of Ubuntu is Social Justice & Fairness, ensuring equity, inclusivity, and that no one is left behind. Ubuntu encourages focusing on the larger context of a problem, promoting restorative justice, collaborative approaches, and nurturing environments where individuals thrive by contributing to the collective good, fostering a strong, compassionate society. These values strongly resonate with the Pride Movement.

In 2026, we also celebrate two important landmarks in our Constitutional Democracy which have had a direct impact on the LGBTQI+ Community: The 30th Anniversary of the adoption of the new Constitution and the 20th Anniversary of the Civil Unions Act.

The Constitution of South Africa 1996

The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the Republic of South Africa which provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic. It sets out the human rights and duties of its citizens and defines the structure of the Government. South Africa’s new constitution was adopted in 1996. At the heart of the constitution are seven fundamental values: democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect and freedom.

Section 9 of the South African Constitution guarantees the right to Equality, stating everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law, prohibiting unfair discrimination on grounds like race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and more, and mandating the government to take steps (affirmative action) to redress past inequalities. What is significant for the LGBTQI+ South Africa’s Constitution is the first in the world to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation

Key Aspects of Section 9 (Equality) of the Constitution are:

• Equality Before the Law (S9(1)): Everyone has the right to equal protection and benefit from the law.

• No Unfair Discrimination (S9(3)): The state (and individuals/groups) cannot unfairly discriminate against anyone based on grounds including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, culture, language, and birth. South Africa was the first country to constitutionally protect gay rights this way.

• Affirmative Action (S9(2)): The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures to redress past discrimination and promote equality for disadvantaged groups, a principle put into practice by laws like the Employment Equity Act.

In essence, Section 9 forms the cornerstone of South Africa’s commitment to a non-racial, non-sexist society, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.

The Constitution also provides for a Bill of Rights. Gays and Lesbians (to use the terminology of 30 years ago) do not have a special section in the Bill of Rights devoted to their rights. Rather, the relevant part of section 9 of the Constitution, entitled “Equality”, states that: “(3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex,

pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.”

Gays and lesbians are protected by the inclusion of sexual orientation as one of the listed grounds on which unfair discrimination may not take place. The listing of specific cases in section 9(3) does not mean, however, that to be considered unconstitutional, discrimination would have to be based on one of the grounds mentioned.

Gay rights might enjoy protection even in the absence of the specific reference to sexual orientation. But their explicit mentioning gives our Bill of Rights a special place in the world: South Africa was the first country to enshrine gay rights in its Constitution and, in so doing, provide its citizens with constitutional protection from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation.

A number of decisions handed down by the Constitutional Court confirm that this section prohibits the state from unfairly discriminating against gays and lesbians. The legal term that describes this is “vertical discrimination”, because it operates from the top (from the level of the government) downwards (to the citizen).

There have been several well publicised incidents of private individuals, people such as employers, doctors, hotel owners or shopkeepers, who have and continue to discriminate. “Horizontal discrimination”, committed by ordinary people (or even organisations and companies), is tackled by section 9(4) of the Constitution:

(4) “No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection (3).”

Section 8(2), which says a provision of the Bill of Rights binds a natural or a juristic person if applicable, is also relevant here.

Civil Unions Act (2006)

The Civil Unions Act of 2006 made South Africa the first country in Africa and the fifth in the world to recognize same-sex unions with full equal rights and benefits as oppositesex marriages, stemming from constitutional equality provisions. This landmark legislation allows same-sex couples to enter civil marriages or partnerships, with all legal rights, protections, and divorce processes mirroring heterosexual unions, ensuring non-discrimination by marriage officers. This was the result of prolonged campaign by LGBTQI+ activists and legal action in the courts.

The Constitution’s equality clause led to the Constitutional Court ruling in Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie, compelling Parliament to legalize same-sex marriage. The Act prohibits marriage officers from refusing to solemnize same-sex marriages based on personal beliefs, ensuring equal access to marriage services.

South Africa is a leader in LGBTQ+ rights, recognized internationally for its progressive laws.

In essence, South Africa provides comprehensive legal recognition and protections for same-sex marriages, ensuring equality under the law.

CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

We had our most successful Cape Town Pride Festival in 2025 with more than 40 events on the Calendar. More that 4000 people marched in the Pride Parade and the Pride Mardi Gras was once again a sold out event.

CRAIG LUCAS

On Representation, Recovery, And Reclamation

From coming out publicly while navigating the pressures of a growing music career to being open about sobriety, mental health, and loss, Craig Lucas’s journey has been shaped by a steady move toward honesty. Now four years sober and preparing for his third appearance at Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras, Craig reflects on queerness, representation, and what it takes to stay grounded. Alongside music, Craig’s work extends into community development through The Warren and Arlene Lucas Foundation, which focuses on early childhood development, youth empowerment, and education. His academic research in Development Studies sits alongside his creative work, driven by the same concerns around equity, access, and care. Craig speaks openly about coming out, recovery, mental health, and the role queer community continues to play in his life.

Pride Magazine:

You’ve become one of the most visible queer pop artists in South Africa. What does representation actually mean to you at this point in your life?

Craig Lucas:

Representation used to feel like pressure. Like I had to be the perfect example of a queer person. The right politics, the right softness, the right bravery, the right amount of visibility. I felt like I had to get it right all the time, because if I messed up, it felt like I wasn’t just messing up as Craig, but as “a queer person in the public eye.” Now, representation feels more like permission to be messy, soft, opinionated, emotional, sometimes annoying, sometimes inappropriate, sometimes deeply serious. Permission to change my mind. Permission to not always have the perfect answer.

Growing up, I didn’t see many queer people who looked or sounded like me, or came from where I come from. I didn’t see queer people who were allowed to be contradictory or complex. So queerness felt like something I had to either hide or perform really carefully. Representation matters because it expands what’s possible. It widens the frame. It tells the kid watching from Elsies River, or some other small town that there isn’t just one way to be queer, successful, loved, or safe. You don’t have to be brave all the time. You don’t have to be palatable. You don’t have to be inspirational 24/7. You can just exist. And sometimes, simply existing is radical enough.

Pride Magazine:

This is your third time performing at Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras. What keeps pulling you back?

Craig Lucas:

There’s something really powerful about standing on that stage knowing the history. Pride didn’t start as a party. It started as resistance, because queer people were tired of being told to be quiet, small, and grateful. So even when we’re dancing, screaming, and kissing strangers, there’s still something deeply political about being visible and joyful in a country where queerness isn’t always safe or accepted. And to be fair, the topless, sweaty boys in the crowd don’t hurt either.

Pride Magazine:

When you shared that letter coming out publicly in 2018, it struck a nerve across South Africa. Looking back now, what did it mean for you personally?

Craig Lucas:

Writing that letter felt like survival. I was just trying to be honest enough to stay alive and sane. I had been carrying so much shame and so much self-hatred for so long that it had started to feel physical. Like something rotting inside me that I couldn’t ignore anymore. Once I said it out loud, once it existed outside of my own head, it stopped feeling like this all-consuming secret that defined me. It became a truth, not the truth of who I am. That distinction was everything.

What I didn’t anticipate was how many people would see themselves in it. People from completely different backgrounds, ages, gender identities, careers, reaching out to say, “I thought I was the only one who felt like this.” That showed me just how isolating shame can be, and how powerful honesty is in breaking that isolation. Coming out publicly didn’t magically fix everything. But it did give me access to myself again. And that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

Pride Magazine:

The letter also sparked a broader conversation about family, stigma, and the real risks many LGBTQ people face when coming out. What would you want parents, families, and loved ones to understand about that moment in someone’s life?

Craig Lucas:

Everyone’s coming-out journey is different, and no one owes it to anyone to come out on a specific timeline, or at all. Not being able to exist fully as who you are, does real damage over time. It quietly erodes your sense of worth and can negatively shape the decisions and choices queer people make in ways that aren’t always visible. So I think the most important thing for parents and loved ones to understand is that coming out isn’t necessarily about rebellion, attention, or the rejection of family values. More often, it’s about survival and truth. For many queer people, the fear is about losing love, safety, and a sense of belonging. Support, or the lack of it, can literally mean the difference between life and death.

My good friend Soli Philander once said that coming out is really just a coming into yourself, an honouring of what’s already there. In a world that constantly pushes people into boxes around gender, sexuality, race, class, and age, we’re taught that only certain ways of being are allowed for certain kinds of people. A lot of joy, pleasure, and wholeness gets denied in the process, and there’s an entire system that benefits from that disconnection. So even if someone never comes out publicly, I still hope everyone is given the grace, at some point in their lives, to come into themselves. That, on its own, is already a quiet act of rebellion.

Pride Magazine:

How has being queer shaped your music and the way you write?

Craig Lucas:

For a long time, I was editing myself without noticing. Changing pronouns in lyrics, making things vague so they could seem more “relatable.” Once I stopped doing that, the writing felt closer to the truth and the process felt more enjoyable. There’s also a particular humour that comes with queerness that I love. The drama, the self-awareness, the ability to laugh while things are falling apart. That feels closer to how I actually experience the world. Being queer has shaped the strongest parts of me, and I’m grateful that I was born gay. Even if I had the choice, I wouldn’t choose any other way of being. I am also aware that I’m privileged to say that from a place of love and safety that many queer people don’t have. That’s why kindness within our community matters. When queerness is met with care and protection, it has the potential to be a real source of strength, not just individually, but collectively.

Pride Magazine:

You’re four years sober now. Why was it important for you to talk about this publicly, especially within queer spaces?

Craig Lucas:

Because silence nearly killed me. Substance use is such a big part of queer social life, and I understand why. Alcohol and drugs can feel like shortcuts to confidence, connection, feeling sexy, feeling free. For a long time, it was fun. Pretending it was all terrible doesn’t feel honest to me, and dishonesty is dangerous when it comes to recovery. Eventually it stopped being fun and became a way of hurting myself. And the shame around addiction kept me stuck there far longer than I needed to be. I talk about sobriety because I know how lonely it feels when you think you’re the only person struggling while everyone else seems to be coping just fine. Being sober doesn’t make me better than anyone. It just personally makes me happier. And more present. I can feel my feelings now, even the uncomfortable ones, and I kind of like that.

Pride Magazine:

How did drag, ballroom culture, and queer art change your life?

Craig Lucas:

Drag and queer art were the first spaces where I saw queerness celebrated instead of merely tolerated. I saw people take rejection, trauma, and pain and turn it into beauty, humour, and power. That was revolutionary!

It showed me that survival didn’t have to look quiet or apologetic. It could be loud, creative, joyful, and unapologetic. These spaces gave me language for myself before I had the words. They showed me that femininity wasn’t something to be ashamed of, that softness could be radical, that chosen family is not a consolation prize but a lifeline. I love seeing how queer art in South Africa is growing and becoming more inclusive. It’s no longer just one aesthetic, one body type, one narrative. There’s room now for more stories, more voices, more ways of being queer. That visibility matters. It saved me.

Pride Magazine:

Why was starting of The Warren and Arlene Lucas Foundation a foundation so important to you?

Craig Lucas:

Because grief needs somewhere to go. I started the foundation in memory of my late brother and sister-inlaw. It came from wanting to turn loss into something that still gives life. Losing them changed me. It made me question what actually matters. I grew up in Elsies River ,so I know what it means to grow up surrounded by potential but limited access. The foundation focuses on early childhood development, youth empowerment, food security, education, and dignity. That can look like supporting ECD centres with food and learning materials, employability programmes for young people, or arts and mentorship initiatives. It doesn’t feel like charity to me. It feels like responsibility. The work keeps me connected to real people and real needs beyond the bubble of the music industry.

Pride Magazine:

You’re launching an exciting collaboration with Read to Rise at Pride this year. Tell us about that.

Craig Lucas:

The Warren and Arlene Lucas Foundation will have a stand at Pride this year which I’m very excited about. It means people can come over and learn about the work we’re doing, and see how Pride can be a space for connection beyond the stage and the party. We’re also collaborating with an incredible organisation called Read to Rise. South Africa has a very real literacy crisis. Most children don’t have access to books at home, which effects confidence, academic performance, and long-term opportunity. We’re partnering with Read to Rise to raise both awareness and funds at Pride. It costs R50 to sponsor one child with a book, and our goal is to start at Pride and raise enough to sponsor 1,000 children in 2025. We’re encouraging donations of R50 or more where possible, but we’re asking for a minimum donation of R10, because even small contributions add up. Something that feels minor to us can genuinely change the trajectory of a child’s education. This collaboration reflects what Pride has always been about, community, visibility, and looking out for one another.

Pride Magazine:

You’re also a PhD candidate in Development Studies, not the most typical popstar move.

Craig Lucas:

Music is not the entirety of who I am. My PhD focuses on equity in access and quality of early childhood development for children with disabilities. That might seem far removed from pop music, but for me it’s all connected. My studies, my foundation, and my music all point in the same direction: community development, dignity, access, justice. I’m incredibly privileged to be able to pursue multiple passions, and I don’t take that lightly. Also, I genuinely enjoy being a student. I like reading. I like learning.

Pride Magazine:

So how are you balancing all the various hats you wear?

Craig Lucas:

Poorly! It’s a lot of coffee, not enough sleep, and a Google Calendar that looks genuinely alarming. Some days I feel like I’ve got it under control. Other days I absolutely do not. I’m trying to be more intentional about prioritising my health, boundaries and time. I’m someone who needs stimulation and purpose. This is me choosing a productive kind of chaos.

Pride Magazine:

You’ve been very open about your mental health. Why is that something you feel so strongly about sharing?

Craig Lucas:

Because we’re in a mental health crisis, and pretending otherwise isn’t helping anyone. I’ve been in therapy and on medication for about four years now. Sometimes it’s worked really well. Sometimes it hasn’t. It’s not a neat, linear journey. And it’s definitely not a one-sizefits-all fix. That’s why I’m open about it. I want people to know that struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. There’s so much stigma around mental health which keeps people quiet, ashamed, and isolated. Speaking about my own struggles helps me process them. Once you say something out loud it stops feeling all-encompassing and suffocating. Depression, anxiety, stress, can consume us to the point where they start to feel like who we are. We experience but are not these things. Looking at it that way gives me a bit of distance, a bit of perspective, and makes it feel just a little more manageable.

The most important thing is that we speak up and ask for help if we can. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If you’re going through a tough time and feel stuck, reaching out can help. SADAG has free, confidential support available 24/7 on 0800 456 789, via WhatsApp at 076 882 2775, or through their Substance Abuse Helpline on 0800 12 13 14.

Pride Magazine:

Finally, what do you hope people take away from seeing you on this cover?

Craig Lucas:

That you don’t have to choose one version of yourself or shrink yourself into something easier to understand. You can be masc, fem, somewhere in between, or none of it at all. You can be loud and soft. Strong and fragile. Sober and fun. You can love pop music and policy research. You can be healing and still horny and messy AF. None of us have it all figured out - and that’s kind of the point. Just try to live honestly, do what makes you feel alive, and do as little harm as possible along the way.

You can follow Craig Lucas on social media for updates on his music and Pride performances, and follow The Warren and Arlene Lucas Foundation to learn more about its work and how to get involved.

PRIDE SHELTER TRUST

A New Chapter of Independence and Care

In a city celebrated for its beauty and its diversity, it’s easy to assume that everyone experiences Cape Town as a place of acceptance. Yet for many LGBTQIA+ people, especially those facing family rejection, violence, discrimination, or sudden financial crisis, “safety” can be fragile, and “home” can disappear overnight. The Pride Shelter Trust exists for that exact moment: when someone needs a secure, affirming place to land, to breathe, and to rebuild.

As the first formal LGBTQIA+ shelter on the African continent, the Pride Shelter has provided shortterm accommodation and wraparound support for individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness for nearly 2 decades. At its core, the Shelter is both a response and a promise: a response to the harsh realities that still shape many queer lives, and a promise that dignity is non-negotiable.

A track record built on dignity, consistency, and community

The Pride Shelter’s history is grounded in a simple but powerful truth: safety is the foundation for everything else. While the

Shelter’s operations are shaped by the day-today realities of crisis accommodation the goal has always been bigger than a bed for the night.

The aim is long-term stability: helping residents regain confidence, connect with the community and nature, access services where needed, and begin mapping out a pathway forward.

The Shelter’s 94% success track record is measured in the number of residents that are reintegrated with their family or go on to join society without falling back into shelter system; but success is also measured in the countless moments that don’t make headlines: a resident attending a job interview for the first time in years, a trans person accessing affirming healthcare without fear, a young queer person finally getting to sleep safely, or someone rebuilding trust after a lifetime of being told they don’t belong.

But perhaps the most meaningful marker of the Pride Shelter’s impact has been something deeper than service delivery, it’s been community.

Social

Club: when the community doesn’t just support, it participates.

In June 2025, the Pride Shelter Trust launched a new Social Club initiative to strengthen connection between residents and the broader LGBTQ+ community. The goal was simple: create joyful, low-pressure spaces where people can gather, play, connect, and feel part of something. The results were immediate and heartwarming.

The Social Club launched with “GAY-mes Day”, a celebration of laughter, low-stakes competition, and shared time. More than 40 people joined staff and residents on the Shelter grounds for a full day of activities and board games. It wasn’t “just” a fun day, residents weren’t only receiving support; they were hosting community, welcoming people in, and participating as equals. The energy in the room said what policy papers sometimes can’t: belonging is a form of protection, too.

The second Social Club initiative happened on Mandela Day 2025, when the Shelter hosted a “Fixit Day” that brought dozens of volunteers together in an outpouring of practical solidarity. Community members didn’t only arrive with donations (cleaning materials, tools, and supplies), they arrived with the most valuable gift of all: their time. The day was a hive of purposeful activity. Volunteers worked together clearing the yard, chopping down fallen trees, organising the library and storage unit, fixing broken

doors, mending walls and fences, and restoring a sense of order and pride in the space. It was sweaty, real work that carried an emotional message: you matter enough for us to show up and help you rebuild.

These Social Club moments did something important. They reminded residents that they are not alone. They reminded volunteers that solidarity isn’t abstract, it’s tangible.

New programs that build independence and protect health.

While connection and belonging are critical, the Pride Shelter Trust also knows that lasting stability requires structured pathways, especially for residents who are ready to move from crisis support into independent living. In 2025, the Shelter launched two major programs that represent a decisive step forward: one focused on sustainable independence, and one focused on urgently-needed healthcare access.

1. The Second Phase Program: practicing independence with support

The “Second Phase Program” is designed for select residents who are ready to transition out of communal shelter life and into independent living, but who still need guided support to make that step safely and successfully. This is where many support systems fall short: people are “housed,” but not necessarily prepared for the complex realities of living alone, managing expenses, keeping stable employment, and navigating the emotional weight of independence after trauma.

This is a six-month program based on the Shelter grounds in two separate, independent cottages that allow participants to practice real-world living with structure and accountability. Residents receive targeted support, including training and counselling, focused on the practical and emotional skills required for selfsufficiency: securing and maintaining a job, paying rent, managing a budget, cooking, handling household responsibilities, and building a sustainable routine.

The early results have been extraordinary. The first cohort has already shown what becomes possible when independence is treated as a skillset and not a sudden leap. Two participants have graduated and are now living healthy, self-sufficient lives. And the current residents in the program have secured permanent employment and are well on their way to completing the program. It’s a model that replaces the cliff-edge of “exit” with a bridge: gradual, supported transition that reduces the risk of relapse into instability.

2. Temporary Health Support Program: protecting access to life-saving care

In 2025, the Shelter also launched a “Temporary Health Support Program” in response to disruptions in free clinic services following broader funding shifts. For many Shelter residents, these disruptions weren’t minor inconveniences, they threatened access to lifesaving medication and essential care, including HIV medication and gender-affirming hormone therapy.

The Pride Shelter Trust responded with urgency and compassion, prioritising residents who had lost stable access to their treatment and medical support. Through a partnership with Dr. Ray Meas of MyDoctor (mydr. co.za [2]) and the sponsorship from donors such as Buddies Night Out and the CPT Village Choirs, the Shelter was able to provide temporary medical support to bridge the gap — including consultations, continuity support, and access pathways for both genderaffirming care and other critical healthcare needs.

How You Can Help

The Pride Shelter Trust is a living answer to the question: what does queer care look like in practice? In 2025, the Shelter and the LGBTQ+ Community in Cape Town have proven that community doesn’t only heal, it strengthens. If you’ve ever wondered where your time, skills, donations, or your presence can make a real difference — the answer is here, at 1 Molteno Road, Oranjezicht! Help us build a community where LGBTQIA+ people aren’t merely surviving, but steadily, proudly, returning to themselves. Because the real work of pride is not only celebration, but what we build together the other 364 days of the year.

For more information please visit https:// pridesheltertrust.org.za/ and follow us across social media @ pride_sheltertrust or whatsapp us at 072 473 0764

MAERSK

Driving Culture and Inclusion Beyond Borders

At Maersk, we believe that diversity and inclusion are not just corporate buzzwords, they are the foundation of who we are and how we operate. As a global integrator of logistics, our success depends on the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents of our people. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Why Inclusion Matters to Maersk

Inclusion is a core principle that drives innovation. When employees feel supported, they contribute more creatively and deliver exceptional results. For Maersk, an inclusive culture is both a moral imperative and a business necessity for long-term sustainability. Our commitment spans all dimensions of diversity, including gender, race, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation. We firmly support the LGBTQIA+ community, advocating for equality and human rights to help our people thrive.

Why Cape Town Pride Matters

Our participation in Cape Town Pride extends our values into the community. Pride is a vital movement for visibility and equality, challenging discrimination through collective action. For Maersk, this isn’t just about solidarity; it’s about amplifying voices and demonstrating that inclusion is essential.

Our Employee Resource Network (ERN) includes networks for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies, providing safe spaces for dialogue, support, and advocacy. Initiatives like these are not just internal, they ripple outward, influencing how we engage with customers, partners, and communities worldwide.

Our involvement in Cape Town Pride reflects three core beliefs:

• Representation Matters: Visibility creates understanding. We stand with the LGBTQIA+ community to ensure that every voice is heard and every identity respected.

• Belonging Drives Success: When people feel safe and included, they thrive. Inclusion is not just good for individuals, it’s good for business and society.

• Global Values, Local Impact: As a company operating across borders, we recognize the importance of supporting local initiatives that promote equality and challenge discrimination.

Moving Forward Together

Supporting Cape Town Pride is part of our ongoing commitment to live our values. We continue to invest in programs that educate our teams and challenge unconscious biases. Building an inclusive culture is a journey, and we are dedicated to walking that path every day—ensuring inclusion becomes the norm within Maersk and beyond.

CAPE TOWN PRIDE HEROES AWARDS 2025

Cape Town Pride hosted the Annual Pride Heroes Awards Gala at the Protea Fire and Ice Hotel on Sunday 21 September. There are many individuals and organisations who do amazing work within the LGBTQI+ community, often quietly and modestly in the background. The Pride Heroes Awards are a way for Cape Town Pride as an organisation to shine the spotlight on the unsung heroes of our community as well as to honour and recognise their contributions.

Earl Samu

Earl Semu, Director of the Global Family Initiative at Safe Place International, is being celebrated because of their tireless commitment to uplifting marginalized voices, creating meaningful connections, and leading transformative initiatives that bring hope and healing to refugees, migrants, and host communities worldwide.

As the Director of the Global Family Initiative, Earl has spearheaded efforts to respond to urgent needs in refugee communities, particularly during times of significant aid cuts. Through forging strong partnerships with grassroots organizations, they ensure that LGBTQ+ refugees and migrants receive access to shelter, food, and medical support, as well as the care and resources they need, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Beyond their organizational role, Earl is the founder of the Nourish and Thrive Project, supporting youth and single mothers with practical resources. They have also played an instrumental role in organizing Worcester Pride and Khumbulani Pride, creating celebratory and empowering spaces for LGBTQ+ people to live openly and proudly.

We chose to recognize Earl Semu because their work reflects the very best of what leadership can be: resilient, compassionate, and transformative. They are a beacon of hope, amplifying silenced voices, bridging divides, and creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people everywhere can thrive.

Imam Muhsin Hendricks—Advocate, Educator, Interfaith Leader, and Queer Muslim Pioneer—has been nominated as a Pride Hero by the Queer Faith Collective. This nomination recognizes his unwavering courage, enlightened leadership, and profound legacy in both faith and justice. Muhsin was a light to many, a safe space in human form, and a quiet revolutionary who redefined what it means to be both queer and devoutly Muslim.

He was one of the world’s first openly queer Imams and the founder of The Inner Circle in Cape Town, South Africa—a pioneering organization focused on spiritual support, education, and advocacy. His activism possessed a universal appeal that surpassed any one religion, holding sacred space for the global queer community with rare grace.

He stood at the intersection of multiple struggles, embodying values of compassion, truth, and justice for all people. Whether showing up in interfaith spaces or international documentaries, Muhsin practiced a faith that embraced others and made room for every voice. His courage made it possible for many to find themselves within Islam and their wider communities.

Imam Muhsin Hendricks did not just speak about love and justice—he lived them, with humility and power. Even in death, his legacy calls us to be brave, inclusive, and unwavering. He let his light shine in the face of adversity, and in doing so, lit the way for all of us.

Nathan Sass

State Advocate, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Advocate in the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit Nathan Sass has been nominated because of his unwavering dedication to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and uplifting vulnerable communities, especially within the LGBTQ+ space. His work reflects both compassion and action, often going beyond what is required in his formal role.

Nathan serves as a State Advocate with the NPA, where he plays a critical role in helping survivors access justice and support services. He is closely involved with the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) in the Western Cape, managing operations and ensuring services are delivered effectively across several sites. His work includes policy implementation, service coordination, and day-today management of victim support initiatives.

He also has a deep interest in community outreach and education. Nathan regularly participates in awareness campaigns aimed at informing the public about gender-based violence and their rights. His goal is not only to respond to harm but to prevent it—by empowering communities with knowledge and support.

Nathan stands out because he is both an advocate and an educator, often working quietly behind the scenes to make sure services are running smoothly and survivors are treated with dignity. His leadership, commitment, and heart for justice make a meaningful difference in the lives of many—especially those who are often overlooked or marginalised.

Sandra Dee Fairy Godmother Foundation

Sandra Lentoor, better known as Sandra Dee, founded The Fairy Godmother Project, an NPO in Hanover Park. As a former District 6 resident and LGBTQI+ leader, Sandra survived apartheid-era violence and imprisonment to become an icon for queens and trans girls.

The Project operates as a nonprofit retail organization where proceeds from garment sales or hires provide underprivileged Grade 12 learners with dresses, hairstyling, and makeup for their Matric Ball. Operating for 10 years, the Project aims to motivate scholars to excel in exams and pursue tertiary education.

The Project also provides purpose for senior citizens in Hanover Park by transforming them into “Fairy Godmothers” who serve and mentor the youth.

Apart from this work, Sandra founded Ms Gay Legend, a pageant for older drag queens. Her photographs are featured at the District 6 Museum’s Salon Kewpie. Through her Project, Sandra serves Hanover Park by organizing fundraisers for the elderly and empowering the youth.

Tine Ros

Ally Extraordinaire

Growing up in South Africa and Zimbabwe in the seventies and eighties when racism and homophobia was part of the law, it was natural for Tine to rebel against this injustice. She has been an active part of the gay community since she was 16, and she experienced firsthand the discrimination that the community was exposed to. Now living in Denmark, Tine has been attending Cape Town Pride since 2022 and has become one of our greatest supporters and allies. Every year she arrives with a suitcase full of Pride Paraphernalia for our use, including the giant Rainbow Flag you see leading our Parade every year, which she bought via the proceeds of a Crowd Funding Campaign she organised with friends in Denmark. In 2023, she took the Cape Town Pride flag back to Denmark and proudly carried the flag in pride parades in both Malmø, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Stephnè Davel Founder of CTL Queer Book Club

Founded in 2023 by Stephnè, the Cape Town Lesbian Queer Book Club began as a way to celebrate the Central Library’s queer collection and create a welcoming space outside the traditional party scene. While members often discuss literature, the club’s true heart is community; it is a space where readers and non-readers alike gather for connection, friendship, and joy.

Through library tours and author talks, the club has become a vital fixture in the city. Because of Stephnè’s volunteer efforts and the library’s support, the club remains completely free and accessible. It is a dedicated safe space for trans, non-binary, and neurodiverse individuals—an inclusive home where everyone belongs, whether they come for the books or simply a smile.

Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages

Outstanding Corporate Supporter

Cape Town Pride cannot happen without the support of corporate sponsors. Our association with Peninsula Beverages began 15 years ago and this company has been a truly outstanding supporter. Their generosity and steadfast commitment have enabled us to organise a world class Pride event. Pricsilla Urqhuart, who accepted the award on behalf of Peninsula Beverages, says that the company embraces inclusivity and diversity which makes their support of organisations like Cape Town Pride a natural fit for the brand.

Wentzel April

Outstanding Contribution and Dedication

After doing a spectacular job hosting the 2022 Heroes Awards as his drag alter ego Wendy La Rosa, Wentzel was appointed Cape Town Pride Festival Director in 2023, a position he continued to hold in 2024. With his wit, charm and being a popular personality in the LGBTIQ+ community, he brought a fresh energy and perspective to the organisation of our annual Pride Festival. After his 2024 stint, Wentzel embarked on new ventures. His special award recognises his leadership, creativity and dedicated service to Cape Town Pride.

UBUNTU:

WE KNOW HOW TO TALK ABOUT SEX

Hardly Any Time Talking About Our Asses

We are excellent at talking about sex. We can discuss consent, boundaries, kinks, STI windows, attachment styles, and which therapist is “the good one.” We’ll negotiate a threesome with a whiteboard and a shared Google Doc. We’ll even unpack our childhood trauma naked. And yet, somehow, nobody ever asks the most basic post-sex question: “How’s your hole doing?” Not in a slutty let’s-go-again way, in an are-you-okay, do-you-need-water way. Which feels unhinged, considering how often it’s involved.

Anal sex is not delicate, but it is demanding. It’s friction, stretch, pressure, enthusiasm — and sometimes a level of ambition that really should come with a big flashing neon sign. …Okay, somehow I made that hornier than intended. The tissue down there is sensitive, absorbent, and very good at remembering exactly what you just put it through. And culturally, we’ve decided that as long as the sex was hawt, the story ends there. Clothes on. Bathroom wipe. Emotional check-in, if we’re being evolved Meanwhile, your body is quietly filing a report.

Most of us know the signs. The soreness the next morning. The dryness that feels personal. That moment when you sit down and think, wow, why does my chair feel judgemental today? We joke about it. We power through. We act like that’s just the price of admission. But care doesn’t stop when penetration does.

In kink spaces, aftercare is non-negotiable. You don’t get points for being edgy if you leave someone shaking, dehydrated, and Googling their life choices. Yet when it comes to anal sex — the Ironman triathlon of intimacy, we ghost our own sphincters the second it’s over, like a Grindr hookup who said “five minutes” an hour ago Which is wild, considering it’s our own butthole.

Aftercare isn’t about killing the mood. It is the mood. It’s how sex turns into intimacy instead of a transaction. It’s how pleasure becomes something your body wants to repeat, not something it quietly dreads on Monday morning. Maybe caring about your ass isn’t boring. Maybe it’s just… grownup Because pleasure isn’t only about how far you can go. It’s about how well you recover.

And honestly, if we’re going to keep doing butt stuff, which we absolutely are, we might as well treat the aftermath with the respect it deserves.

Written by Duncan Stevens and Grace Maree

Buddies

Outdoor Street Party / Indoor Dance Floors

SATURDAY 28 FEB 2026 – 6PM

Buddies Night Out’s Pride Party is back! Road closure in District 6, with multiple dance floors and bars across Harringtons Bar & District Club. Join us for an unforgettable night of friends, music, and celebration!

Night Out

UBUNTU IN ACTION

Rethinking Care, Belonging and the End of Conversion Practices

Content Advisory

Learning about conversion practices can be emotionally difficult. If at any point while reading this article you feel distressed or unsafe, please pause. For confidential support, a list of South African helplines and LGBTQIA+-affirming services is available at za.conversionpractices.com.

Ubuntu Beyond Slogans

Ubuntu is one of South Africa’s most cherished ethical frameworks – invoked in political speeches, community gatherings, and increasingly, at Pride events. But Ubuntu’s power depends entirely on whether it is lived rather than merely displayed. “I am because we are” is not a neutral claim. It demands something of us: to make belonging real, not symbolic; relational, not rhetorical.

As Cape Town prepares to host WorldPride 2028, the 2026 theme is an invitation and a warning. Ubuntu is not achieved through flags, marches, or statements alone. It is measured by how we treat those whose truths unsettle us – queer youth, trans community members, gender-nonconforming people, and survivors of coercion dressed as care.

The LGBTQIA+ community itself must confront an uncomfortable truth:

If Pride is not centred on ending harm, then it risks becoming what so many protest movements become once mainstream – a parade without a purpose. When women across South Africa protested on 21 November 2025 – declaring violence against women a national disaster – they were not celebrating identity. They were demanding protection. They were refusing silence. They were calling the country to moral attention. If heterosexual women understand that safety requires collective action, why has our own community – the one directly targeted by conversion practices – not yet mobilised with similar urgency? Ubuntu is only real when it transforms behaviour. Right now, we need transformation more than celebration.

The Hidden Violence of “Care”

Conversion practices continue in homes, churches, religious youth programmes, and counselling offices across South Africa – not because they are legal, but because they are normalised. What makes conversion practices uniquely dangerous is the language used to justify them: “healing”, “restoration”, “guidance”, “deliverance”, “support”.

Coercion disguised as compassion is not compassion at all. It is psychological violence wrapped in the aesthetics of care. Access Chapter 2 – one of South Africa’s leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisations – provides vital data on this hidden landscape of harm:

• 49% of participants reported experiencing forced conversion attempts.

• 30% described self-conversion, driven by pressure, fear, and shame

• 15% experienced both.

What is especially disturbing is how early and intimately these practices begin. Many first encounters happen inside the home – the place where Ubuntu should be strongest. Religious communities come next. Pastors and youth leaders, often acting out of their own fear or dogma, impose rituals, “deliverance sessions”, and prayer interventions intended to erase identity. These are framed as care. They are anything but. Even the mental health sector is implicated. Access Chapter 2 found documented instances where mental health professionals reinforced conversion-based ideas or used conversion practice-like methods under the guise of clinical legitimacy. This is a profound breach of ethics.

Outright International reinforces these findings globally: Conversion practices lead to depression, shame, PTSD symptoms, dissociation, suicidal ideation, relational breakdown, and loss of self-trust. This is not “counselling”. It is structuralised psychological abuse.

Ubuntu Betrayed, Ubuntu Restored

Ubuntu asks us to honour the dignity of another person without first requiring that they shrink, silence, or edit themselves. Conversion practices do the opposite. Where love should be unconditional, conversion practices introduce a transactional rulebook: “You belong when you change. You are safe when you comply.” That is not Ubuntu. That is control. Restoring Ubuntu means rejecting the false idea that belonging requires similarity.

It means recognising that relational ethics –compassion, respect, presence, non-dominance – must take precedence over dogma, fear, or discomfort.

Several South African psychologists, theologians, and activists are beginning to articulate a transformative framework: Care is not correction. Care is accompaniment. Care is dignity. Ubuntu demands no less.

From the Aversion Project to Everyday Politeness

South Africa is not new to state-sanctioned attempts to erase queer identity. The apartheidera Aversion Project subjected soldiers to:

• electric shock “treatments”,

• forced chemical castration,

• psychiatric abuse,

• conversion-based behavioural interventions.

Today’s conversion practices are not carried out in military hospitals – but the underlying logic remains identical.

• Where the past used electrodes, today we use polite conversations.

• Where the past used forced “treatment”, today we use prolonged prayer.

• Where the past used chemical castration, today we use shame and emotional isolation.

Abuse delivered through silence or spiritual euphemism is still abuse. Remembering our history does not trap us in trauma; it helps us recognise its modern echoes.

Gender-Based Violence, Family, and Faith

South Africa now faces a national emergency: genderbased violence (GBV) is so severe that government has designated it a national disaster. This declaration followed mass protests driven by the Women for Change movement. The pattern is unmistakable: Violence thrives wherever autonomy is contested.

Conversion practices sit within the same family of violations as GBV because both are grounded in a belief that identity, autonomy, or difference must be controlled rather than respected. When a state or society accepts the policing of identity within families, churches, and communities, the roots of GBV deepen. The logic is the same: “I love you, therefore you must be what I need you to be.”

Several survivors interviewed by Access Chapter 2 describe conversion practices as frighteningly similar to abusive family dynamics: conditional affection, punishment for non-conformity, spiritual threats, and emotional withdrawal.

Globally, governments are waking up. Italy recently recognised femicide as a specific crime, punishable by

life imprisonment – a sign that states are beginning to name violence directly rather than hide it behind cultural euphemisms. South Africa must show the same moral clarity regarding conversion practices.

A Community Cannot Be Free While Any Member Is Controlled

If Ubuntu means “I am because we are,” then it also means: When one member of our community is harmed, the entire community is diminished.

The LGBTQIA+ community must stop outsourcing its safety to future generations, NGOs, or political cycles. If we do not raise our voices, no one else will. Ending conversion practices is not a niche cause. It is a foundational moral obligation.

To learn more about conversion practices in South Africa – including global definitions, research, legal frameworks, and paths to collective action – visit za.conversionpractices.com.

Support is part of justice. Every survivor deserves to heal.

ConversionPractices.com

ZA.ConversionPractices.com

The Ethical Frontier Before WorldPride 2028 WorldPride 2028 is a milestone – but also a test. It will demonstrate whether South Africa intends to protect queer people or merely display them. The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) offers a critical legal benchmark. Their analysis concludes:

• All forms of conversion therapy – spiritual, psychological, or behavioural – violate Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the right to dignity; the prohibition of degrading treatment).

• Conversion practices constitute a form of abuse, even when no physical force is used.

• Resolution 275 obligates states to protect LGBTQIA+ people from violence, abuse, and degrading treatment.

• Conversion practices fall squarely within this category.

This means South Africa already has a legal and moral basis to prohibit conversion practices. The silence is no longer defensible.

To make Ubuntu real before WorldPride 2028, we need:

• trauma-informed training for mental health professionals,

• community education on relational ethics,

• theological engagement grounded in dignity rather than dogma,

• explicit legal prohibition of conversion practices.

A Pride that does not protect its own is not Pride. It is a parade.

CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2026 EVENT CALENDAR

February in Cape Town is Pride Month, and our three-week Pride Festival offers a diverse programme including parties, picnics, mountain hikes, literary events, workshops, picnics, film screenings, drag shows, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, queer yoga, queer surfing, queer quiz nights, pets promenade walk, and so much more. All these events lead up to the Pride Parade and Mardi Gras on Saturday 28th February. We have an event and a space for everyone in the Rainbow Nation!

Event details are correct at the time of publishing, but are subject to change. Check for updates and more events on Facebook, Instagram and our website.

8PM Classy Gal Comedy Drag Show

Stella Rosé stars in Classy Gal, a glitter-soaked comedy drag show that hilariously unpacks the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of being a woman in the modern world. Through iconic music, sharp wit, and outrageous storytelling, Stella takes the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane — from pop anthems that shaped generations to moments every woman knows all too well.

This is drag, comedy, and catharsis wrapped in rhinestones. Come for the music, stay for the laughs, and leave feeling seen, celebrated, and slightly unhinged (in the best way).

Duchess Lounge, 123 Lower Main Road, Observatory R120 on Quicket

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

9PM Pride Opening Party

Get into the Pride spirit with a dance and a drag show, featuring Kendall Li and Maxine Wild

Zer021 Social Club, 46 Canterbury Street, Distict 6 R80 at the door

9AM 2PM Woman-Focused Pride Tour

Tour starts in St Georges Mall. Will be stopping off at Rainbow Social House, Pizza at the Duchess Lounge, Pink District Meander and ending up at Cape Town Lesbians Picnic at Green Point Urban Park.

St George’s Mall R295. Contact info@stepouttours.co.za to book

9AM SOGI Workshop/Mural Opening

This important community event hosted by Langa Cultural Pride and Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, aims to build understanding around Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and to promote dignity, inclusion, and human rights. The LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity Mural will be opened at this event.

Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre, Langa Free to attend

Cape Town Lesbians Picnic

Free, fun, family friendly afternoon hosted by Cape Town Lesbians. The perfect place to connect with others and make new friends.

Geen Point Urban Park, South Gate Book your free spot on Quicket

6:45AM Queer Hike and Hang Out

Join Cape Town Lesbians and Queer Hub for a social 6-7km hike. This relaxed gravel-road loop includes a quarry break and post-hike coffee at Bliss. Suitable for most fitness levels.

Meet at Herzlia Sports Field, 11 Capel Road, Vredehoek R70 on Quicket

6PM Pride Bookcase

5-8PM Pre-Valentine’s Singles Mixer

Whether single or just curious, join us for a pressure-free night of queer joy and relaxed mingling. Enjoy light icebreakers, good vibes, and genuine connections in a warm, inclusive space.

Soul Fam Hostel, 12 Braemer Road, Green Point R50 on Quicket

Join authors Zubayr Charles and Alistair Mackay discussing their works.

Mingles, 76 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock Free to attend

Haram, Zubayr Charles

In the close-knit Muslim community of Cape Town, Muhammad is the “praise-worthy son,” living strictly by the faith his mother, Zaynab, instilled in him. Yet beneath his perfect exterior, he feels trapped by expectation. When he meets Riyaaz at a braai, his world shifts drastically. Set against the vivid backdrop of Cape Malay culture and Coloured identity, Haram is a tender, unflinching look at the rhythms of prayer and the secrets families hide in a city alive with unspoken desires.

The Lucky Ones, Stories by Alistair Mackay

An intimate glimpse into diverse experiences, from our anxious present to terrifying futures of climate wreckage to the brutalities of our colonial past. These stories challenge our preconceived ideas around queerness, mental health, family, society and loss. The Lucky Ones champions love, kindness and connection against all odds. It is a dazzling, poignant collection of stories that brims with unforgettable characters and heart.

7PM Queer Karaoke

Get ready to sing loud and proud at Duchess Lounge!

Hosted by Pichi Keane, join us for a fabulous Pride Karaoke Night of anthems, community, and unforgettable queer self-expression.

Duchess Lounge, 123 Lower Main Road, Observatory Free to attend

CRAFTED WITH PRIDE. DISTILLED IN CAPE TOWN.

Galactic Spirits is a proudly gay-owned distillery in the heart of Cape Town. We create small-batch spirits with character — and we help others do the same.

From bespoke distilling services to full white-label production, we turn your ideas into extraordinary bottles.

6PM Pride Village Drinks

The Pride edition of this popular monthly LGBTQ+ Networking event.

Café Manhattan, 74 De Waterkant Street, De Waterkant R80 on Quicket or R90 at the door

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

6PM Night of the Queens

The first year anniversary and special Pride edition of this spectacular drag eleganza. Kat Gilardi, Manila von Teez and Vida Fantabisher will be serving up high heels and wig snatching lip-syncs as always.

Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront R250 on Time Out Market app

7PM Pride’s Got Talent

The search for the next queer shining star. The winner of this talent show gets to perform on the main stage at Pride Mardi Gras. The best drag performer will get to appear at the Divas Extravaganza on 26 February.

Zer021 Social Club, 46 Canterbury Street, Distict 6 R60 at the door

7PM Poetry Hang Out

A celebration of queer poetry, read and performed by the authors and others who have been moved by the work. Featuring poet Sanah Ahsan.

The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, District 6 Free to attend

7PM Haus of Vahlour Pride Ball

Celebrating all that is pride, body and soul of our Cape Town queer communities, bringing ballroom, pageantry and queer individuals together from all walks of life.

Crew. New Blood.

This PRIDE we have something for everyone, every day. From karaoke to DJ nights and everything in between. Join us at Crew this February for a month of celebration.

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

9:45AM For The Love of Books

This Valentine’s Day, make a date with books, stories, and fellow book lovers. For the Love of Books is a relaxed, welcoming Queer Book Club and Library Tour hosted by Cape Town Lesbians in collaboration with Cape Town Pride.

Cape Town Central Library (Meet at the foyer/entrance)

Book your free spot on Quicket

6PM Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride

Be part of the celebration as we crown the new Queen and King of Cape Town Pride on Valentine’s Day.

Joseph Stone Autidorium, Athlone R160 from Computicket

11AM Live, Love, Lobster

A joyful, mischievous exhibition by Kyle Jardine, celebrating togetherness through detailed interiors and playful scenes. Fusing queer joy with performance, Jardine’s fantastical worlds invite viewers to embrace shared connection.

Aity Gallery, Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock Free to attend

6PM Unhinged: The Friendzone

Whether you come to laugh, mingle, or walk away with a new member of your padel team, enter the Friendzone divas!

Outlore Base, 80 Hout Street R150 on Quicket

Join Cape Town’s Queer Birding Club for our Pride Edition walk! Celebrate nature, find community, and be your authentic self. All skill levels welcome. Let’s bird!

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Entrance fee to gardens varies

8-10AM 2-6PM 6PM Guided Queer Bird Walk Sunday Funday Pool Party

Join Cape Town-based teacher Lilly for a free, all-levels Vinyasa flow designed to be explicitly inclusive of the queer community. This practice offers a fun, supportive space where all gender identities and expressions are celebrated.

Protea Hotel Fire and Ice, Tamboerskloof Book your free spot on Quicket

Sundays are for sunshine, splashing, and queer joy! Join locals and travelers for poolside music, laughs, and easy-going vibes. Come solo or with friends and find your chosen family.

Soul Fam Hostel, 12 Braemar Road, Green Point R50 on Quicket

6PM Pride Bookcase

Author Charles Thomas and Louis Pretorius present their novels.

Mingles, 76 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock

Free to attend

Love or Barbarism, Charles Thomas

Rosa Lethlabe is widely admired for both her beauty and her brains, she is all the more exceptional for being a young black woman in a white male-dominated world. Despite being happily married, she is drawn into an obsessive love affair with a (white) female employee, whose sudden death in childbirth creates life-changing dilemmas for Rosa, as she struggles to win the right to adopt the baby. “Love or Barbarism” is about a death and a life, and unfolds as a clash between unyielding social barriers inherited from an apartheid-era past and a dogged, equally-unyielding rebellion against multiple forms of discrimination stifling the present.

n Jaar in my Lewe, Louis Pretorius 1996, the year of our new constitution and the Cricket World Cup. Of the second KKNK and the beginning of “Friends” on MNet. Liam is a lean discus thrower. He reminds Martin of an ugly Brad Pitt. Which is still handsome. Liam thinks Martin looks like Jonty Rhodes with his strawberry-blonde hair. And he is annoyingly smart. A Valentine’s dance and a cloudburst. A computer game and a moment in the movie. A latenight conversation with Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” playing. A spark. Martin, the dominee’s child, knows who and what he is. He doesn’t belong in this town, but he knows he likes Liam. Liam dreams of girls and boys. He doesn’t know who he is, but he knows he likes Martin. The question is, can he? In this town? In this time? Is love strong enough to overcome everything?

7PM The Great Queer Quiz Show

Think you’ve got the brains and the sass?

Join your host Stella Rosé for five fabulous rounds of trivia, tunes, and drag drama!

Duchess Lounge, 123 Lower Main Road, Observatory

Book your free spot on Quicket

5:30PM Let’s Talk Pride

Join for a discussion on PRIDE… What it exists for, who is caters to and how we can help to uplift and diversify its reach.

Daniel Conway, author of The Queer Politics of Pride: Global LGBTQ+ Activism and Homocapitalism is one of the main panellists. By exploring the politics and controversies of Pride, Conway addresses broader questions about the contemporary LGBTQ+ advocacy movement, including the influence and place of corporate sponsorship and advocacy, relationship with state and international institutions and the rise of an LGBTQ+ global elite.

The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, District 6 Free to attend

UBUNTU: I AM

6PM Pretty How Town

When Victoria, a transgender woman, returns to her remote South African hometown to care for her dying mother, she steps into a minefield of strained family ties, and a community that barely remembers who she was. Posing as a cousin to ease her re-entry, she crosses paths with a grieving doctor, a teenage boy and wary old flame who holds a buried secret. As identities blur and truths unravel, Victoria must face the past she left behind and the person she’s become in a town struggling to keep up. Pretty How Town is a comic, quietly radical story about belonging, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to come home as yourself.

Ster Kinekor, V&A Waterfront Tickets from Ster Kinekor

2-6PM 6-9PM LGBTQI Tennis Open

(Day 1)

Ready to serve? Join our three-day queer tennis tournament is back with amazing prizes to be won. R500 for either Singles or Doubles and R550 for both Singles and Doubles. Amazing prizes to be won!

Green Point Tennis Club Register to attend

5:30PM Queer Book Club

If you’re passionate about reading queer literature, join the Book Lounge Queer Bookclub as they explore narratives around queerness and intersectionality through books.

The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, District 6 Free to attend

Join our Queer Braai for burger, chips, and a drink! Enjoy inclusive, chosen-family vibes, great food, and local culture. Come as you are—all are welcome!

Soul Fam Hostel, 12 Braemer Road, Green Point R100 on Quicket

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

Offering breathtaking views over Noordhoek and False Bay, the Boomslang Cave hike is a thrilling, beginner-friendly adventure that tunnels directly through the mountain. Bring a headlamp or torch.

Echo Valley Trail starting from Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay Free to attend

Ready to serve? Join our three-day queer tennis tournament is back with amazing prizes to be won. R500 for either Singles or Doubles and R550 for both Singles and Doubles. Amazing prizes to be won!

Green Point Tennis Club Register to attend

10AM Pets for Pride

An informal gathering where proud pooch parents will be promenading their pets on a fun walk to Sea Point Pavilion and back. Prizes for best dressed pets.

Moullie Point Lighthouse, Beach Road, Moullie Point Free to attend

Tennis Open (Day 3)

Ready to serve? Join our three-day queer tennis tournament is back with amazing prizes to be won. R500 for either Singles or Doubles and R550 for both Singles and Doubles. Amazing prizes to be won!

Green Point Tennis Club Register to attend

2-5PM

Village Drinks, the ever popular monthly LGBT networking event heads to the winelands. Welcome drink included.

Holden Manz Wine Estate, Franschhoekd R80 on Quicket or R90 at the door

Gender & Sexual Diversity Workshop

Build understanding around Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGI). Hosted by Desmund Tutu Health Foundation.

Venue 11, Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital Resgister your interest

7:30PM

10AM Crown Comedy Pride Show

Comedy on Kloof presents a spicy Queer comedy night! Expect fresh jokes, cold drinks, and inclusive chaos. Come for the laughs, stay for the drama. Loud, proud, and hilarious.

Dutchess Lounge, 123 Lower Main Road, Observatory R80 on Quicket

5:00PM Eco-Pride at Soul Fam

Hosted at Soul Fam Hostel with Hostelworld, Eco-Pride blends queer visibility with sustainability. This plastic-free, community-driven event centres marginalized voices, proving that joyful celebration and environmental care can coexist beautifully.

Soul Fam Hostel, 12 Braemar Road, Green Pont Book your free spot on Quicket

6PM Apero Urbain

Celebrate the second anniversary of the “Embracing Openness” mural with the Belgian Consulate in Cape Town to honor diversity and urban partnership. Enjoy a welcome drink on us as we continue supporting global LGBTQI+ movements and inclusive communities.

Embracing Openess, Alfred Street, De Waterkant Free to attend

7PM Lesbian Speed Dating

Join us for a night of flirty fun, quickfire conversations, and authentic sapphic energy. Whether you’re hunting for romance, open to new friendships or just want a memorable night out with amazing women — this is your moment. Bring your charm, curiosity and your best smile… you never know who you’ll end up kissing.

Duchess Lounge, 123 Lower Main Road, Observatory R50 on Quicket

9PM Drag Divas Extravaganza

5:30PM Queerest Quiz

This highly popular quiz exploring the world of Queer news, literature, pop-culture and social media is back by popular demand. Do you think you have what it takes to take the trophy? Teams are regulated to 4 members, so choose wisely.

The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town Mail Branden booklounge@gmail.com to book a spot

Zer021 Social Club, 46 Canterbury St, Distict 6 R70 at the door

6PM 7:30PM

Drag Divas Kat Gilardi and Manila von Teez are return to the Bay for a special electrifying Pride Performance. No cover charge, but tips gladly accepted, because they’re worth it, gurl!

Bay Harbour Market, Hout Bay Free to attend

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

7PM Drag in The Bay The Resurrection Files Pride Shabbat

Celebrating our diversity, Temple Isreal opens its synagogue to LGBTIQ+ Jews and allies in an evening of Shabbat prayers.

Temple Israel, Wynberg, 5 Salisbury Road, Kenilworth Free to attend

Starring Drag Divas Madones and Celeste, this futuristic spectacle follows two digital icons resurrected by a rogue glam-bot to save showbiz in a post-apocalyptic world. Experience a high-voltage explosion of glitchy visuals and iconic remixes, with a portion of all proceeds supporting life-saving HIV treatment through AidsArk.

Homecoming Centre, Caledon Street, District 6 R300 on Quicket

8AM Pre-Pride Breakfast

Hosted by Cape Town Lesbians, pre-Pride breakfast will get you in the mood for the Pride March which starts a block away.

Bootlegger Coffee Company at The Cape Quarter 27 Somerset Road, Green Point Book your free spot on Quicket

11AM Pride March

The Pride March through the streets of Green Point is where our colourful community can show their true colours under the rainbow. All are welcome at this fun free event.

Alfred Street, de Waterkant Free to attend

10AM Pride March Viewing Party

Watch the Pride Parade in Somerset Rd from the best perch possible. Bottomless Mimosas, Snacks and music to enjoy the parade from above.

Neighbourhood, Cape Quarter

UBUNTU: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

Diversion for marchers on foot

Marchers on foot proceed under the overpass on Helen Suzmann Boulevard. Bikers and floats proceed along Granger Bay Boulevard.

GRANGER

BAY BLVD.

End

The march ends outside the festival grounds at Green Point Track.

PRIDE MARCH ROUTE

Ribbon cutting

The March will pause at the rainbow crossing on Somerset Road for a ribbon cutting to mark the official start of the march.

Start

Marchers gather outside Preswitch Primary School on Alfred Street. The Pride March will proceed along Preswitch Street from 11am.

11AM Mardi Gras

Bars, a delicious selection of food, a Pride Market, an NGO Village and of course, a great line-up of live performances and DJs on stage.

Green Point Track R100 on Quicket

7:45PM Gat Party Milnerton

Put your dancing shoes on for an epic Pride Edition of the best Sokkie-Langarm Dance Party in Cape Town. Dress Code: Shine bright like a diamond or come just as you are. No bar at the venue, so please bring your own cooler box, glasses and snacks. Ice will be on sale.

Bothasig Hall, Link Road, Bothasig R60 on gatparty.com

7PM Buddies Night Out

Buddies Night Out is back with another unforgettable open-air Street Party on Constitution Street, featuring 2 electrifying dance floors, epic vibes, and the ultimate celebration of love, freedom, and PRIDE!

Constitution Street, District 6 Tickets on Airdosh

UBUNTU:

8:30AM

Join us for a surf after Mardi Gras! All boards, all bodies welcome. No experience or gear required with people to help you and gear provided by Lifestyle Surf Shop at no charge. If you’re not keen to paddle, come hang out for a morning on the beach.

Lifestyle Surf Shop, Surfer’s Corner, Muizenburg Beach Book your free spot on Quicket

Enjoy live strip performances, seductive music and R100 body shots. This stylish, high-energy event for men promises an unforgettable, premium nightlife statement.

Café Manhattan, 74 De Waterkant Steet From R250

Brunch, Dinks and Drag in a new intimate upmarket venue.

Bare, 90 Shortmarket Street TBA

Close Cape Town Pride with The Queer Hub’s Denim & White Sunday Session. A soulful, conscious gathering centered on music and community. Celebrate queer joy in a curated, intentional, and respectful space.

Taste Of Fire, 42 Vortrekker Road, Goodwood R160 on Quicket or R180 at the door

THE PRIDE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Tips to help you have a wonderful day

For many of us, Pride is the highlight of the year and we can go a bit overboard. But hey, it’s our day to be whoever we want to be, protest or celebrate or both. So whether you want to liberate your inner drag, release the bear, unfetter your Sapphic yearnings, break down the closet doors, be Out and Proud, Queer and Here, here’s how to do it safely while still having loads of fun. Let nobody rain on your Parade!

Try to get enough sleep the night before. You know it’s going to be a long day

If you are going to march in the Parade, wear comfortable shoes. It’s 2km from de Waterkant to Green Point Track.

Please let the official parade of vehicles, floats and registered organisations proceed first. You may join the parade after they have gone by.

Pay attention to the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement officials and Pride March Marshals, who will be wearing yellow T-shirts with ‘Marshal’ printed in red on both sides. They are there for your safety. Please stay within the confines of the Parade.

Wear a hat, unless you have on a magnificent headdress, which will probably do the trick too. It’s always very hot, and as the saying goes, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, unless you’re a queen at the Pride Parade. A parasol can also work.

Sunscreen is a must on the March and at the Mardi Gras, especially if you’re gonna show off what your Mama gave you. You don’t want to display a farmer’s tan later at the club.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate! And no, tequila is not the answer. Bring water if you are marching. Remember to throw your empty bottle in a bin. No alcohol is permitted on the Parade. You can drink as much Jagermeister as you like later at the Mardi Gras.

Look after your phone and wallet. It can be hard when you are wearing nothing more than a G-string. For the less flamboyant, wear something with zips or button-up pockets, or put them in your front pockets.

Don’t check that dating app every three minutes. There are thousands of fabulous queer people all around you. Go and talk to them. It’s Pride, everyone’s a little more approachable than usual

Be nice. Leave your Fashion Photo RuView comments at home. It’s our day for self-expression however we chose to do so, so nobody needs judgement. We get enough of that on a daily basis from the rest of society.

Don’t feel up a drag queen’s boobs or bum and don’t touch their hair. It’s just rude.

Pick up some free condoms and lube or find out about PrEP at one of the public health tents that will be at the Mardi Gras.

If you are going to take recreational drugs, do it safely. It’s not a good idea to mix with alcohol. Stay with friends you trust and if you feel unwell, there is a first aid unit at the Mardi Gras. Take care; you don’t want to end the day in cells or in casualty.

Get an Uber home or jump on a bus. There’s a MyCiti terminus just opposite the stadium.

Above all, have a wonderful day! Happy Pride!

The Cape Town Pride March departs at the intersection of Alfred and Prestwich Streets at 11AM. The Pride Mardi Gras follows at Green Point Track straight after. Please note that tickets are only available online. To tickets will be available for sale at the venue.

Free passage on golden arrow bus services on Pride Day.

If you live near a Golden Arrow bus route you can travel to the CBD for FREE on presentation of a ticket to the Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras.Free rides from 8:30AM to 8PM on existing bus routes. There is limited service on a Saturday, especially after 5:30PM. There will be no extra services scheduled after 8PM.

CAPE TOWN

PRIDE

2026 MARDI GRAS

ARTIST LINE UP

As always, we have a wonderful program of performers and DJs lined up for your entertainment at this year’s Mardi Gras.

UBUNTU:

Armand Joubert

Armand Joubert is a multi-award-winning, doubleplatinum-selling Afrikaans singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence after making his debut on The Voice South Africa, quickly establishing himself as a standout artist with viral hit songs such as Met Jou Klere Af, Hande Op My Lyf, Dans Saam My (feat. Kevboii), Vas Hou, and Slag (feat. Sossi). In 2025, Armand reached an impressive milestone of over 8 million streams across all digital platforms. He has also toured nationally as a supporting act for Canadian singer-songwriter Jamie Fine during her South African tour. One of the first openly queer Afrikaans artists to achieve mainstream commercial success, Armand Joubert is both celebrated and controversial. He is a fearless advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and is known for using his platform to speak out against injustice, challenging conservative norms while unapologetically standing in his truth.

Beaulah Queens Van De Kaap – Round 2

The Showmax hit drag reality show Beaulah: Queens van de Kaap, featuring seven of Cape Town’s fiercest and most fabulous queens, BB Vahlour, Emogen Moore, Ina Propriette, Kat Gilardi, Madison Scarr, Manila von Teez and Maxine Wild, became a cultural phenomenon after its release in 2024. Their electrifying performance on stage at last year’s Pride Mardi Gras was filmed and will be featured in Season 2 of the series due for release in April. These Beaulahs will be back on stage by popular demand, turning it out the way they only can!

Belinda Davids

Critically acclaimed Gqeberha-born powerhouse Belinda Davids made waves by reaching the SemiFinals of Series 14 of Britain’s Got Talent. She is best known as the star of ‘The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston’, which toured internationally in 2022 and 2023. In a major scoop, Belinda will be performing brand new songs for her forthcoming album at Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras. We are very excited to welcome Belinda to her Pride debut.

Cece Vee

Cece Vee is a SAMA-nominated South African singer and multi-instrumentalist with powerfully emotive music that features a unique blend of confessional lyrics underpinned by a refreshing modern pop style. In 2022 she was nominated for SAMA Artist of the Year. Her single “BITE” reached #1 on the 5FM Pop Chart, while “Wild Hearts” reached #2 on 5FM Pop Chart and #5 on the Mix FM SA Top 40. Last year she was a winner of the Cape Town Pride Talent Show which got her a spot on the stage at Mardi Gras. We are delighted to have CeCe back in 2026.

Craig Lucas

Chart Topper Craig Lucas never imagined he’d go from singing in the shower in Elsies River to performing on South Africa’s biggest stages, including KDay, Heart Music Festival, Starlight Classics and KKNK. But behind the scenes, he has grappled with his sexuality and mental health, leading to a battle with addiction and a break from music. Now Craig is back, better and gayer than ever, making music for himself and for those who’ve always felt a bit on the outside. Fans can expect a pop-rock rollercoaster with electric guitars, thumping drums, and Craig’s powerhouse vocals wrapped in catchy melodies. He describes it as therapy you can dance to. He’s here to have fun, make great music, make lots of money, spend all that money, and maybe, just maybe find a sugar daddy to keep the party going. After all, in the wise words of Cyndi Lauper, “gays just wanna have fun!” We are delighted to welcome back to the Cape Town Pride Stage!

DJ Kixi

Kixi is a Cape Town–based DJ and sound & events entrepreneur whose career spans over a decade. She began her journey at just 13 as a mobile DJ, before stepping into club environments at 16. This early immersion laid the groundwork for a career defined by precision and control, allowing her to confidently navigate diverse spaces from intimate venues to large-scale brand activations and festivals. With a strong focus on musical flow, clean transitions, and intuitive crowd reading, she delivers sets that feel intentional, immersive, and responsive to the energy of the space. Her ability to balance atmosphere with impact has made her a trusted presence across both nightlife and commercial event spaces. Kixi makes a welcome return to the Pride stage in 2026.

DJ Tollie Parton

DJ Tollie Parton is bringing full disco realness to Cape Town Pride with a glitter-soaked set made for the dancefloor and the divas. Expect hands-in-theair classics, joyous grooves, and unapologetic queer energy as Tollie spins disco cuts that celebrate freedom, fantasy, and fierce self-expression. From mirrorball anthems to sweat-it-out floor-fillers, this set is all about love, liberation, and losing yourself to the beat. Come ready to dance, sparkle, and serve—because DJ Tollie Parton is turning Pride into a nonstop disco dream.

Dope St Jude

Dope Saint Jude (Catherine Saint Jude Pretorius) is a South African rapper, producer, and performer redefining hip-hop with a raw, rebellious, and genreblending sound. A trailblazer in alternative rap, she first gained recognition for her fearless lyricism and socially conscious music, pushing boundaries in hip-hop’s queer and feminist narratives. After her breakout single “Grrrl Like”, she has continued to gain international recognition with her EPs “Resilient” (2018), and “Higher Self” (2022) “This is Home” (2024) - each showcasing a powerful mix of punk, hip-hop, and industrial influences. Her dynamic live performances have taken her across the world, performing at Afropunk, Dour Festival Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and Printemps de Bourges. Her music has been featured in Netflix’s Blood & Water and Apple TV’s Dickinson. We are delighted to welcome Dope back to the Pride stage!

Jimmy Nevis

Since Jimmy Nevis burst on to the South African music charts in 2012 at the age of 19 with his smash hit single Elephant Shoes, he has become a much-loved household name. Born and raised in Athlone, Cape Town, he has had a string of No.1 singles, including as Heartboxing, 7764, All About It, Balloon and Hey Jimmy. In 2023, Jimmy released his 4th studio album, Things We Don’t Talk About, which has been nominated for multiple awards. Jimmy has performed on the stages of some of the biggest festivals and events in the country, such as Kirstenbosch Gardens Concerts, Rocking the Daisies, KDAY, Heart Festival and not forgetting Cape Town Pride! He has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with The Stars and The Voice SA - as both guest performer and guest judge. He has worked with some of the nation’s best musicians including Mi Cas, Karen Zoid, Pascal &

KDOLLAHZ

KDOLLAHZ is a Cape Town-based DJ whose sound captures the heartbeat of a classic Yaadt Paati, blending nostalgia with fresh, innovative beats. Drawing on the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa, his music embodies the energetic and soulful essence of these gatherings, where the rhythm is as much a feeling as it is a sound. From funk, classic house grooves, or even new age electronic sounds, his sets mix oldschool anthems with the future classics, creating an atmosphere that resonates with both locals and international crowds. From his sold out YAADT PAATI nights, to the Cape Town ballroom scene’s runways, and commanding major festival stages, KDOLLAHZ’s performances are a celebration of the pulse of the city and the unbreakable connection between music, identity and community. KDollahz is the Father of the House of Vlam, a new Kiki House he formed alongside Mother Vlam, in May 2025. The children of the house are Carmen Vlam, Kiro Vlam, Unskinny Vlam, and Roman Vlam. Apart from winning trophies at balls, their aim is to uplift their community, take them out of spaces that don’t fully value them, and create spaces that we all deserve.

Laila Van Der Ros

Laila van der Ross is a singer-songwriter from Lotus River known for her Soul, Folk, and Blues music, who has gained traction performing on radio shows like Heart FM and releasing music like her single “Phases”. She was a winner of the Pride’s Got Talent show last year which earned her a spot on stage at Mardi Gras. Laila is back by popular demand.

MazwiDaDj

Born and raised in Richard’s Bay, Mazwi moved to Johannesburg in the late 90’s when Kwaito music was on the rise. His upbringing in Yeoville, a vibrant artistic hub, nurtured his passion for the arts, particularly music and dance. He trained as a contemporary dancer and DJ, combining these creative talents throughout his career. MaswiDaDj sets blend various genres from House to old-school hip hop and R&B, infusing a touch of nostalgia with fresh beats. MaswiDaDj has been a regular presence in Johannesburg’s club scene, playing at diverse venues and events, including LGBTQIA+ spaces, including Soweto Pride and Queer Market, which align with his identity as a gay man. He is committed to creating inclusive, joyful spaces through music.

Lelowhatsgood

Lelowhatsgood, is a culture-shaping creative force who has left an indelible mark on African media and entertainment as an internationally recognized DJ, producer, writer, and cultural curator. He is the founder of the inclusive ballroom movement VNJ BALL, celebrating the LGBTQI+ community through art, music, fashion, and dance. His music breakthrough came in 2017, as a DJ at FAKA’s “Cunty Power” party in Johannesburg. Since then, he has become a fixture on the international DJ scene, performing unique blends of House, Gqom, Amapiano, Ballroom and Funk on prestigious stages like AFROPUNK, Boiler Room and Ultra. Lelo’s groundbreaking work has earned multiple Loerie nominations, two Feather Awards, and features in DJ Mag and MixMag. He continues to push boundaries, and we are very excited to have him back on stage at Pride 2026.

MazwiDaDj

Born and raised in Richard’s Bay, Mazwi moved to Johannesburg in the late 90’s when Kwaito music was on the rise. His upbringing in Yeoville, a vibrant artistic hub, nurtured his passion for the arts, particularly music and dance. He trained as a contemporary dancer and DJ, combining these creative talents throughout his career. MaswiDaDj sets blend various genres from House to old-school hip hop and R&B, infusing a touch of nostalgia with fresh beats. MaswiDaDj has been a regular presence in Johannesburg’s club scene, playing at diverse venues and events, including LGBTQIA+ spaces, including Soweto Pride and Queer Market, which align with his identity as a gay man. He is committed to creating inclusive, joyful spaces through music.

UBUNTU:

Nkosinathi Sangweni

Cape Town Pride Brand Ambassador Nkosinathi Sangweni waka Mtshali aka Nathi, is a powerhouse in the world of dance, performance, and event curation. From his early days at the Dance Factory and Jazzart Dance Theatre training program to his evolution as a celebrated freelance artist, choreographer, and MC. His expertise extends beyond performance—whether leading as a program manager, event curator, or master of ceremonies. Nathi will be our MC Host at Mardi Gras this year.

Stella Rosé

Stella Rosé is a celebrated South African drag performer known for her bold fashion, magnetic stage presence, and dynamic performances that blend glamour, charisma, and humour. She’s widely regarded as one of the brightest rising stars in the local drag scene, helping to shape a new generation of drag artistry in South Africa through high-energy shows and captivating character work. Stella has shared major stages with both local icons and international drag stars — most notably performing alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Latrice Royale. In addition to her performance work, Stella is active in LGBTQ+ community events; she served as a host and performer at the Cape Town Pride Heroes Awards, helping honour local advocates and bring visibility to queer culture and activism. We are delighted to welcome Stella back this year as an MC and performer

3 Tons of Fun

Back by popular demand, one of South Africa’s most beloved all female vocal groups, has been redefining what it means to be glamorous, proving that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Their powerful message of body positivity inspires everyone to embrace their authentic, confident selves. And then there’s the music! Their performances are a celebration of South African music, with songs from legends, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Kurt Darren and Mafikizolo. And being the Divas that they are, they are not averse to belting out a Gay Anthem or three! These fabulous, fearless chanteuses keep audiences smiling, laughing, and dancing like no one’s watching!

WORLDPRIDE 2028

WorldPride is coming to Cape Town in 2028. We cannot wait to welcome the world to Africa, South Africa and the Mother City! Dates and other details to be revealed soon.

As the next hosts of WorldPride 2028, a delegation from Cape Town Pride will be attending WorldPride in Amsterdam for the official handover of the event to Cape Town.

To help us get there contribute to our BackaBuddy Campaign here.

AIDSARK COMING TO THE RESCUE

There’s not a lot of noise surrounding HIV/AIDS these days, thanks to effective retroviral treatment and access to prevention regimes like PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis) which has revolutionised the lives of many in key population groups. But it’s not a problem that has been solved:

• In 2025, an estimated 41 million people were living with HIV globally.

• 77% of these people, approximately 32 million, were accessing anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, as compared to 7.7 million in 2010.

• But 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV.

• 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

The shocking and unexpected withdrawal of funding for drugs and treatment by PEPFAR and USAID in February 2025 will have a serious negative impact on the health of people living with HIV in developing countries, along with expected increases in HIV infections. Already South Africa has the highest infection rate in the world.Despite the sense of complacency, the global situation has improved since the turn of the century where thousands of people in the developing world were still dying of AIDS, even though

proven ARV (anti-retroviral) treatments were saving the lives of people living with HIV in the West.

In 2002, two British men, Derek Frost and Jeremy Norman, well known in the London gay club scene as owners of the legendary Heaven nightclub, founded AidsArk as a response to the crisis. Two decades on, AidsArk works with doctors and clinics in the poorest parts of the developing world to try and improve the lives of people affected by HIV in these communities.

The name AidsArk was inspired by the book Schindler’s Ark, which inspired the movie Schindler’s List, both referencing the biblical Noah’s Ark story. Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jews from Nazi death camps, under the premise “To save one soul is to save the world entire.” To Derek & Jeremy, the solution seemed obvious: Supply ARVs to people with HIV and they won’t die from AIDS. But back in the early 2000’s drug costs, governments, red tape and developing world logistics were all challenges to be overcome. In some countries ARVs were still illegal to import.

The impetus to start AidsArk stemmed from their life experience, which founder Derek Frost relates in his moving memoir Living & Loving in the Age of AIDS. It’s a tale of a devastating pandemic, of lives cut painfully short; it’s also a love letter… Derek, a distinguished designer and Jeremy, his husband, entrepreneur and creator of both The Embassy Club, London’s answer to Studio 54, and iconic Heaven, Europe’s largest gay discotheque, met and fell in love more than 40 years ago. Their lives were highoctane, full of adventure, fun and fearless creativity.

Suddenly their friends began to get sick and die – AIDS had arrived. When they got tested, Jeremy received what was then a death sentence: he was HIV Positive. While the onset of AIDS strengthened stigma and fear, they confronted their personal crisis with courage, humour and an indomitable resolve to survive. Jeremy’s battle lasted six years. Turning to spiritual reflection, yoga, nature – and always to love – Derek describes a transformation of the spirit, how compassion and empathy rose from the flames of sickness and death. Out of this transformation also came AidsArk, the charity they founded, which helped to save the lives of countless people. This is a story of joy and triumph; about facing universal challenges; about the great rewards that come from giving back. Derek speaks for a generation who lived through a global health crisis that many in society refused even to acknowledge and about the great rewards that come from giving back.

AidsArk began a search for doctors and clinic they could support. It was with doctors and clinics like Dr Raju at FXB India, Dr Frank Smithuis at MAM Myanmar, Dr Cynthia Maung at the Mae Tao Clinic on the Thai-Myanmar border and the Desmond Tutu Aids Foundation in South Africa, that AidsArk found the route to supply ARVs and support medical care to sick HIV+ adults and children who had no access to them. Many were on their death beds already.

This model worked, and AidsArk appealed to donors to buy as many ARVs as they could, to treat as many patients as possible. AidsArk ensured at least three

years of ARV supply for any new patient. Additional projects were found and funded, some on a shortterm basis until bigger donors were secured, or the Global Fund took over ARV supply. Others were longer term commitments that continue to this day.

In 2016 Derek and Jeremy decided to retire from the charity. Today, AidsArk is still 100% volunteer-led, with all overheads covered by the founder trustees, and supports projects in Cambodia, India, Myanmar, South Africa and Thailand. All are visited regularly.

In South Africa, Baphumelele Hospice in Khayelitsha, is one of AidsArk’s projects. Khayelistha is home to over 1 million people, where life is challenging, even without the extra burden of HIV. The availability of ARVs and HIV medical support doesn’t matter if there’s nobody to help sick, suffering people. Having support to ensure parents and children make their clinic appointments and keep taking their ARVs on schedule can be the difference between a family that keeps it together and one that disintegrates. AidsArk funds two social care nurses working for Baphumelele Hospice in the Home. They go out into the township community and find people with HIV who have fallen through the cracks. They support them in getting to clinics, getting ARVs and taking them. Follow-up is key and being known and respected in the community - which they are - is essential too.

For more information about AidsArc please visit: www.aidsark.org.uk

Part proceeds from the performance of The Resurrection Files, “AI Deleted The World. Drag Brought It Back, starring Drag Royalty Celeste & Madones, which is part of the Pride Festival Calendar, will be donated to AidsArc.

Tickets for this one night only performance on Friday 27th February are available from Quicket.

URBAN ELEPHANT

The Founder’s Story

Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours didn’t begin as a business idea. It began long before the first apartment opened, before the brand existed, before I could even imagine a future. It began in a chapter of my life I rarely speak about a chapter marked by fear, illness, and the quiet belief that I might not have many years ahead of me.When I was still very young, I received a diagnosis that, at the time, felt like a death sentence. Treatments didn’t work. My body was failing long before my ambition ever had the chance to grow. I was sick often. I was terrified always. And for many years, I watched other people plan their lives while I learned to live with the idea that mine might be painfully short That kind of struggle shapes you. It isolates you. It makes you feel like you’re standing behind a glass wall, watching everyone else move forward while you remain suspended. Afraid to hope, afraid to dream, afraid to believe in anything resembling a future.

Woven into that struggle was another truth I carried quietly. I grew up knowing, unmistakably, that I was gay. But in the small town where I was raised in the 1970’s and 80’s, that truth was not an option. It wasn’t spoken. It wasn’t safe. It wasn’t allowed to exist. I followed the life expected of me. I married. I built a family. I now have two grandchildren I adore. But in 1994, I finally stepped into my own life and came out, and from that

moment onwards, I never looked back. Our generation fought, loudly and silently, for a freedom that did not exist then, the freedom LGBTQ+ people now have to live honestly, openly, and without apology. That journey, the inner struggle, the outward defiance, the refusal to disappear shaped me as deeply as any illness ever did. Today we live in a different world, and I am proud of both the path I took and the courage it required. Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours stands on that same belief that everyone deserves a place where they belong.

When the worst of my early battles passed and life slowly returned, I was left with something unexpected: survival. And with survival came a strange emptiness. I didn’t know where I belonged. I didn’t know what I was meant to build. I just knew that the years I had been given were more than I ever expected and I had to do something meaningful with them. Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours became that meaning. An inclusive place for all who walk through our doors.

It didn’t start with investors or a grand concept. I started with nothing with one apartment, a borrowed mop, and a refusal to waste the second chance I had been given. I welcomed guests myself. I cleaned rooms myself. I learnt, the hard way, that hospitality is not about polished surfaces or perfect scripts. It’s about people. It’s about warmth. It’s about creating a place where others feel they belong, even when you spent so many years feeling like you didn’t.

As Urban Elephant grew, so did I. The brand became my anchor, my future, my proof that the life I once feared I wouldn’t live was slowly unfolding in front of me. Every guest, every owner, every building, every staff member added something back into me that I didn’t realise I’d lost. And above everything else — the real heart of Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours is our team Most have been with me since the very beginning, long before the brand had a name, long before we had systems, long before we had buildings of our own. Joss, for example, started as my cleaner, in those earliest days when it was just one apartment and a dream I hadn’t yet dared to speak aloud. Today she is the Housekeeping Manager of the entire company, leading a department that spans multiple buildings. And she is not the exception, she is the example.

Every single one of my staff has a story like hers: stories of growth, grit, courage and opportunity. Stories of people who backed me long before there was anything to back. People who stayed, believed, worked, and built alongside me. I care about their careers, their families, and their futures as fiercely as I care about my own. I dream for them as I dream for myself. Their success is my success. Their stability is my priority.

I could never have built Urban Elephant alone, and I would never want to. We built it together step by step, room by room, year by year, guest by guest and the company stands today because of their belief, their loyalty, and their courage to grow alongside me.

Today, our modern, distinctive, proudly queer-owned hybrid hotels stretch across some of Cape Town’s most iconic neighbourhoods. But we are more than a hotel now. Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours has grown into a full-service hospitality provider offering tours, airport transfers, private drivers, laundry services, in-room tuck shops, curated celebration packages, safari experiences, concierge support, and personalised travel planning for guests from around the world. We offer not just accommodation, but complete journeys. Simplicity, safety, and a trusted hand from the moment a guest lands to the moment they fly home.

People often comment on the culture of Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours, the warmth, the independence, the human approach to hospitality. What they’re really feeling is the journey that shaped it: the years of uncertainty, the fight to survive, the choice to live authentically, and the decision to build a life I once thought I wouldn’t live long enough to see.

From that single apartment in the city, something remarkable happened. Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours grew into one of Cape Town’s most recognisable independent hospitality groups. What began with one set of keys has become hundreds. What started with a single unit has expanded into multiple full-scale hybrid hotels, a growing network of property owners, a team of staff who are the soul of the brand, and a business welcoming thousands of guests each year.

We’ve built an operation that rivals traditional hotels, introduced industry-leading systems, expanded into new buildings, developed additional revenue streams, and proven that an independent company, one born from grit rather than privilege, can rise to become a major player in Cape Town’s hospitality landscape. We are the future of Tourism. I am proud of what we’ve built. Proud of the scale. Proud of the reputation. Proud that a company which began with one person cleaning rooms at midnight is now a thriving, multi-property brand trusted by guests and owners worldwide.

Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours stands where it does today because of heart, resilience, and the people who became part of the story — our team, our guests, our owners, and this remarkable city.

This company is now my life’s work. It is the future I never thought I would reach. It is the gift of time that I wasn’t sure I’d be given — turned into something meaningful, lasting, and profoundly human. And most importantly, it is a gift to every guest who chooses us.

My story is about resilience — but ultimately it is about love. And I wish that same love to everyone reading this.

By Niles Hemming, Founder of Urban Elephant Hotel and Tours

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PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

The Pride Festival is made possible with the cooperation of various organisations who work in the LGBTQI+ and Human Rights sectors. Here’s some information about some of our partners.

All R Called is a Christian LGBTQ ministry dedicated to creating a loving, affirming community where LGBTQ believers can belong, believe, and become who God created them to be. Every LGBTQ Christian deserves a place to worship, grow, and connect with others who share both their faith and their journey. allrcalled.co.za

Cape Town Lesbians

Founded in 2008 by Lara Aucamp to create spaces for queer women to form meaningful connections. Hosting a wide range of events, from family-friendly picnics to discussion evenings, movie nights, board games, art classes, and more. Events free wherever possible, to promote inclusivity. The term “Lesbian” is used as an inclusive umbrella term that helps women find a community, not a prescription of who is allowed in this space. This group welcomes and celebrates all sapphics, women who love women (including bisexuals and pansexuals), and all trans and gender non-binary folk. @capetownlesbians on Facebook

Centre For Human Rights, Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria, is an internationally recognised university-based institution combining academic excellence and effective activism to advance human rights, particularly in Africa. It aims to contribute to advancing all human rights, including those of members of the LGBTQI+ community, through education, research and advocacy. chr.up.ac.za

The Counselling Hub provides an affordable and accessible counselling service that aims to contribute to overall wellbeing. It aims to promote an ecosystem of wellbeing. By embracing an integrated approach that prioritises sustainable mental health, they aim to connect clients to more low-cost and accessible services. counsellinghub.org.za

CPUT Queer Unicorns creates a safe, open, intersectional and equitable space on campus which enables the minority to be free in their pre professional space, to fully participate and contribute with their outmost potential. They believe in a societal transformational process involving the prevention of discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity and removal of patriarchal and hetero normative privilege.

Del-Har Pride

In 2022 the communities of Delft and Belhar merged to form Del-Har Pride to work for a society free from discrimination on the basis of sex, gender or sexual orientation through education and community outreach. Contact Jonathan: mailboxjantjies2@gmail.com

Deo Gloria Family Church, an ApostolicProphetic LGBT-affirming Christian Church, part of the DGAN Global Network, based in Belville. deogloria.org

Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, LGBT+ Health Division

“The HIV issue is a human rights issue” - Archbishop Emeritus Desmund Tutu, Foundation Patron

LGBTQI+ populations are marginalized and discriminated against in South Africa, placing them at high risk for poor physical and mental health. Despite this, access to LGBTQI+ sensitive and affirming health services is severely limited.

The LGBT+ Health Division, based at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, established in 2008, aims to promote equitable access to appropriate and affirming healthcare for LGBTQI+ populations through research, community engagement and advocacy desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za

Free Gender is an organisation based in Khayelitsha that fights for the rights and lives of black lesbians in every township and has become a safe home for black lesbian bodies. freegender.wordpress.com

GALA Queer Archive is a catalyst for the production, preservation and dissemination of information about the history, culture and contemporary experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in South Africa. As an archive founded on principles of social justice and human rights, GALA works toward a greater awareness about the lives of LGBTQIA+ people as a means to an inclusive society. GALA’s primary focus is to preserve and nurture LGBTQIA+ narratives, as well as promote social equality, inclusive education and youth development. gala.co.za

Gamut 1 is a Cape Town-based non-profit LGBTQIA+ organisation and community using media, culture and research to build a world where queer and trans rights are honoured, and everyone belongs. The organisation is built on the belief that storytelling and community is a radical act of care, safety, and resistance. gamut1.org

Gender Dynamix is the first registered Africa-based public benefit organisation to focus solely on trans and gender diverse communities. Using a human rights framework, Gender DynamiX undertakes to advance, promote and defend the rights of trans and gender nonconforming persons in South Africa, Africa and globally. genderdynamix.org.za

Genderworks transforms and heals gender relations and violence in South Africa and Africa through experiential processes to create safe spaces for dialogue and storytelling between genders. genderworks.org.za

Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church is an inclusive congregation made up of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered and heterosexual members and friends. All members and friends contribute to the ministry of the church and they believe that everyone is a minister member with a unique role to play. The Good Hope church is part of a larger international denomination known as Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) whose mission is: Transforming ourselves as we transform the world. goodhopemcc.org

I AM (Inclusive and Assertive Ministries) capacitates civil society and faith communities to recognise and celebrate Queer people in Africa by creating safe spaces for dialogue. Religious fundamentalism, patriarchy, heteronormativity, stigma, shame and forced secrecy are affecting every single LGBTIQ+ individual, regardless of whether they are a person of faith or not. The ever-increasing religious homophobia excludes LGBTIQ+ people from basic human rights, and often religious leaders are at the forefront of teaching negative beliefs about sexuality, voicing views such as “homosexuality is un-African”. This in turn produces or condones violence against LGBTIQ+ people and reinforces anti-homosexuality legislation. While this concern is shared, an alternative constructive religious voice against the detrimental effects is not heard strongly enough in Africa. iam.org.za

Impulse Group Cape Town is the world’s largest HIV/wellness group for gay men. Entirely comprised of volunteers, Impulse Group operates in 26 cities, 13 countries on 5 continents! Impulse Group Cape Town is part of a global volunteer group of active gay men who promote healthier sex lives. impulsegrp.org

Loud Enuf is a program within the Gender Equity Unit (GEU) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). It is designed to provide social support and a safe space for LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer/Questioning) students and staff. Mail us

Majawie Safe Space is a Delft based NPO that focuses on Gender based violence, counselling, court support, food and security, outreach and awareness and sensitivity training in the LGBTIQ+ community. @majawie.safe.space on Facebook

The Pinklight Movement is a faithbased, non-profit organisation dedicated to spreading the love of God to all people, regardless of their background. They strive to create a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and loved. thepinklightmovement.co.za

Pride Shelter Trust is Africa’s first formal haven that provides shortterm accommodation to the LGBTQI+ minority groups during crisis periods. In addition to providing LGBTQ+ residents with accommodation, they provide personal development, psycho-social development, physical health and wellness and reintegration support. pridesheltertrust.org.za

PWR Project

The PWR Project is non-profit organization reaching for social empowerment by elevating and empowering South Africa’s LGBTQI+ youth, by exploring individual and community experiences and advocating for education and inclusive safe spaces. pwrproject.org

Queer Us is the official organisation of the queer community at Stellenbosch University. Its mission is to form, facilitate, and enable safe spaces for queer bodies at Stellenbosch University. QueerUS aims to educate and inform both students and members of the public, advocate for queer liberation, and oppose any form of discrimination against queerness. @_queerus_ on Instagram

Rainbow UCT

strives to create an inclusive space for all queer identifying individuals, cultivating a community of acceptance. Focusing on inclusion and queerness is particularly important at this time, as UCT is the first South African university to ratify a policy that protects the rights of sexually diverse people. rainbowuct.wixsite.com

Safe Space International

Safe Place International is a holistic leadership development organization committed to empowering LGBTQIA+ refugees, displaced persons, and single mothers. safeplaceinternational.org

Scalabrini Centre’s vision is to build an open and intercultural society by overcoming every barrier, inequality and injustice – especially among vulnerable people – that can affect the integration of people on the move and South Africans. scalabrini.org.za

Shemah Koleinu (Hear Our Voices - A South African LGBTQIA+ Initiative) is a queer– and Jewish-led human rights organisation that is apolitical and not affiliated to any particular stream of Judaism. Our values are founded in the principles of chesed (love and compassion), tikkun olam (acting for societal benefit), gemilut chasadim (loving kindness), equality, equity, justice and inclusion. shemahkoleinu.org.za

SWEAT (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce) is South Africa’s leading sex worker rights organisation at the forefront of sex worker advocacy. @SWEATSA on Facebook

TB HIV Care puts integrated care at the heart of responding to TB, HIV and other major diseases. They work to prevent, find and treat TB and HIV in South Africa as well as targeting their interventions to address the needs of populations at risk, such as inmates, sex workers and people who inject drugs. tbhivcare.org

Thuthuzela Care Centres are ‘onestop shops’ designed to address the needs of sexual assault survivors. The centres provide emergency medical care, crisis counseling, police investigation and court preparation in an integrated and survivor-friendly manner.

Trans Guardians Alliance (TGA) is a South African organisation working with LGBTQIA+ migrants and asylum seekers, with a particular focus on trans individuals and LGBTQIA+ parents and their children. The organisation provides holistic support services for displaced LGBTQIA+ migrants, including emergency shelter, access to healthcare and documentation, psychosocial support, early childhood education, and advocacy for inclusive migration and protection frameworks. TGA was registered in October 2021 as a non-profit organisation. Mail us

Trans Wellness Project provides a comprehensive service to the Trans and gender diverse people in the rural areas of South Africa. Linkedin

Triangle Project envisions a world where inclusivity and acceptance are the norm for LGBTQI+ individuals. They work towards this by actively combating discrimination and providing essential services that empower and celebrate LGBTQI+ communities. Through advocacy, accessible resources, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships, Triangle Project strives to foster understanding and ensure a future where every LGBTQI+ person feels safe, seen, and supported.

UWC Equity Group

The Gender Equity Unit’s activities and programmes at the University of the Western Cape are geared towards making sure that no one is discriminated against, harassed or hurt because of their gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, and to facilitating the empowerment of particularly women and other marginalised groups, both on campus and within society at large.

Waal (Warren and Arlene Lucas) Foundation, founded in honour of Warren and Arlene Lucas to uplift underprivileged youth in Elsies River and similar communities. Through ECD, education and employment empowerment, we help young people build confidence, dignity and a future they value.

Cape Town Pride 2026 is made possible by our generous sponsors and partners.