Pride parades in South Africa

South African pride parades were historically used for political advocacy protesting against legal discrimination against LGBT people, and for the celebration of equality before the law after the apartheid era.

[1][2] They are increasingly used for political advocacy against LGBT hate crimes, such as the so-called corrective rape of lesbians in townships,[3] and to remember victims thereof.

[1][2][7] The first event attended by 800 people was initiated and organised by GLOW, and the crowd was addressed by Nkoli, Donné Rundle, Beverly Ditsie, Edwin Cameron and gay Dutch Reformed Church minister Hendrik Pretorius.

The 2012 parade was marred by a clash between activist participants and members of the Joburg Pride organising body,[7][10] and the organising body disbanded in April 2013 due to internal conflict about whether the event should continue to be used for political advocacy.

[28] Free State Pride has been held in Bloemfontein, one of South Africa's three national capitals, since 2012.

The event includes a beauty pageant, a fashion show, a pride parade and a picnic.

[39][40] In 2015, various government officials, including the mayors of Polokwane and the Capricorn District Municipality as well as councillors and members of the police service, marched in the parade.

In 2013, it was held in Gugulethu and remembered hate crime victims such as 19-year-old Zoliswa Nkonyana who was stabbed and stoned to death in Khayelitsha in 2006 for living openly as a lesbian.