March in Khayelitsha to mark 10 years of Khumbulani Pride

23/05/2023

March in Khayelitsha to mark 10 years of Khumbulani PrideOver 100 people waved rainbow flags and sang as they marched to the Harare police station in Khayelitsha, Cape Town at the weekend

by Ground Up

23-05-2023 11:19

in LGBTQIA+

Activists and victims of hate crimes marched through the streets of Khayelitsha on Saturday to mark ten years of the Khumbulani Pride. Photos: Mary-Anne Gontsana via Groundup

Article originally published on GroundUp By Mary-Anne Gontsana

--

Over 100 people waved rainbow flags and sang as they marched to the Harare police station in Khayelitsha, Cape Town at the weekend. The march marked 10 years of Khumbulani Pride.

Khumbulani, Remember in isiXhosa, was started in 2013 to raise awareness about queer rights in townships. It also serves as a commemorative event for victims of hate crime.

ALSO READ: Khayelitsha community is finally getting a temporary police station

--

From the police station, the marchers went to Seek Lounge where the names and pictures of deceased victims of hate crime were pasted on the venue's walls.

Today we celebrate those that lost their lives and the families who lost their loved ones, said Velisa Jara, a Free Gender activist.

One of Khumbulani's founders, Funeka Soldaat, told the crowd: I become happy and emotional when I attend Khumbulani Pride. Khumbulani Pride is not only about lesbians or LGBTI people that have passed on, but also for those who have experienced hate crime. I have also experienced hate crime.

ALSO READ: Over 1,000 march in support of queer pride

Soldaat announced that she would no longer be active in the annual event. The event is now in good hands. There are young and energetic people at Free Gender who will take over.

Triangle Project's Sharon Cox said, What you see here is what Pride is about. It's about remembering those who have been murdered, raped, assaulted, just for being who they are. There are no other spaces like this, and we need to be proud of the fact that we made spaces like this exist.

The Dream Academy's Nyasha Zhakata from Zimbabwe said she ran away from her home in 2007, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter.

ALSO READ: Details: Cape Town Pride 2023 parade and mardi gras

--

I have had instances where people asked me why I have a child even though I'm lesbian. They don't know that I was raped and that's how I conceived. I'm thankful that I'm now reunited with my daughter.

Another person who introduced themselves as Lwethu told GroundUp about the challenges of not being accepted in church. We are not welcomed in church. Even if you want to go to church you can't because of your sexuality, said Lwethu.

The walls of Seek Lounge were covered with pictures of victims of hate crimes. Participants lit coloured candles in their memory. Photo: Groundup CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY GROUND UP

How much of a rugby fanatic are you? Answer these 5 simple rugby questions and stand the chance of winning R1 000 in cash!

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/lgbtqia/march-in-khayelitsha-t...
	See more stories from thesouthafrican

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026