Hundreds are new to celebrate 35 years of Pride Johannesburg in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG – Hundreds of people marched on Saturday in the South African capital to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Pride Johannesburg, an annual event that is very important in promoting equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.

The march in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, was a colorful spectacle but also an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to highlight serious issues such as the discrimination that most members of the community still face despite South Africa’s progressive stance on equality issues.

Johannesburg resident Alice Mpholo is one of the people who supported the march.

“Pride is just like reminding us of the rights and opportunities of this community that fought so hard,” he said. “And it’s not just in South Africa. It’s all over the continent.”

Mpholo said there are still many countries on the African continent where the rights of LGBTQ+ people are not respected.

“They are being persecuted. They were killed just for being there. So a day like this is a day to celebrate, but it is also a day to enjoy the privilege of being able to be with people like me”, said Mpholo.

Bruce Conway, another participant, said the event provides a safe place for the community to express themselves.

“I’m here today to celebrate myself and other people who embrace who they are in strong ways and in ways that we don’t normally appreciate every day. And I’m here to feel love in many ways,” she said.

Traffic around Sandton’s central district has been diverted to accommodate the march.