Sandton hosts 36th Johannesburg Pride amid criticism of lost purpose

Despite continued calls for a boycott, this year's Johannesburg Pride went off without a hitch.

The 36th edition of the annual event saw scores of people in brightly coloured outfits descend on Sandton’s CBD to celebrate visibility and LGBTQ+ rights.

Attendees told EWN that events like Pride serve as a reminder that gay rights are protected and celebrated in South Africa.

"I’m happy to be here because it really means a lot to me, you know. When I look at our family, African counterparts, it’s not easy being there. People literally get killed. So here at least we have that freedom to express ourselves fully.”

Head of Johannesburg Pride, Tebogo Legodi, said the event took ten months to plan.

“We live in a country where homophobia still wrecks us every now and again. It comes across and it rises up every now and again as it mushrooms up. So it’s very important to have Pride not only here in Johannesburg, but across the country so we can come together as a community and effectively say: we are here, we are queer, and we will not apologise for who we are or what we stand for. Gay rights are rights, nonetheless.”

Despite the event’s success, some organisations, like the Good Party, criticised Pride, saying it has lost its original purpose.

In a statement confirming its withdrawal, the party said the movement for equality has increasingly become a social event and photo opportunity, detached from the real struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ people.