Thembeka Mtshali @ 2013 Durban Gay Pride.
© Mthoko Lembethe

Text by Londeka Siba Dlamini

There was no march around the city on this year’s Durban Gay Pride festival which took place on the 29^th June 2013 at the Amphitheatre in Durban North beach. Usually when its a gay pride Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders walk around the city with boards written ‘STOP HATE CRIME AND ABUSE TO HOMOSEXUALS’ and many sayings but basically just showing that they are proud of being who they are. This time around gays and lesbians gathered at north beach carrying camp-chairs and picnic blankets just to chill and talk about issues they face from time to time.

The Pride festival was supported, even by government officials and political leaders. Jomo Sibiya, the ANC Chairperson in Durban says they are working very hard to stop hate crime against homosexuals, “We as the ANC we recognize the rights of lesbians and gays and we are pushing in South Africa as a whole for them to be liberated and the struggle is not over, people like Tata Mandela fought for us to be free so why should we oppress one another”.
On the other hand Deputy caucus leader for DA said, “We all have rights and our sexuality does not determine who we are and we are all South African citizens”

They all acknowledged and spoke about leaders that fought for us to be free and wishing Madiba a speedy recovery.

Pastor Zinzi Zungu for Victory Ministries Church International (VMCI) stresses that gay and lesbians must believe in God and go to church more often, “My name is Pastor Zinzi Zungu and I am a proud lesbian Pastor, God loves us all we must show the world that we are capable of doing anything and being gay is not a sickness but rather who we are”.

The atmosphere was over flowed with fun and excitement, lots of performances by proud lesbians and gays were amazing.

Senny Mzolo left the crowd asking for more when she performed a song by Dj Ganyani “Isigubhu”. After her two lesbians were on fire singing afro-pop, Marcia who has been to Idols and Pop stars and also performed with a well-known group called The Soil and Andiswa who says she is proud of being who she is also she is a vocalist and an actress. Miss Gay Jozi was also there she performed a song by Dj Zinhle “My Name Is” performing together with a group of gay guys called Simply Blue who also did Tango and performed many songs.

The gay pride was a success everybody that was there was excited and having fun. After party was at Boulevard so after the festival most people left for that event.

“MY PRIDE MY RIGHT,
MY RIGHT MY PRIDE!!!”

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