LGBT doccie’s SA première marks hate crime anniversary
The local première of the award winning documentary African Pride, highlighting the struggle against homophobia in South Africa, is taking place in KwaThema and Khayelitsha this weekend.
The screenings, hosted by Amnesty International and Backstory Productions, coincide with the fourth anniversary of the killing of lesbian activist Noxolo Nogwaza.
African Pride explores how LGBT South Africans are countering homophobic violence and hate crimes with township Prides and protests.
“African Pride introduces us to the mourners, survivors, families and friends who take to the streets to demand justice for those lost, equality for the living and for their own human right to live peacefully in their communities,” said Laura Fletcher, the film’s director.
The award-winning documentary was filmed in townships across South Africa and features KwaThema in Gauteng and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape. KwaThema is the birthplace of Noxolo Nogwaza, a 24-year-old lesbian mother of two and activist.
On 24 April 2011 her body was found in an alley in KwaThema. She had been raped and her head and face were crushed. Four years later, her murder has still not been solved.
African Pride has been screened at film festivals from Ireland to India and it now returns to the people who made it all possible, in the places in which they live, love and campaign for change.
Amnesty International, as part of the Hate Crimes Working Group, a network of civil society organisations, has been lobbying the South African government to implement hate crimes legislation that would ensure police can more effectively investigate such crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
“Amnesty International is proud to be associated with this powerful film, emphasising the human cost of hate crimes, and demonstrating the need for these crimes to be promptly and thoroughly investigated,” said Muleya Mwanayanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Campaigns in the Southern Africa region. “This is a film that inspires people to take action and is a must-watch for everyone who wants to see justice for hate crimes in South Africa.”
The screenings will be attended by those whose stories are captured in the film and whose activism forms the basis of this poignant and powerful documentary.
“African Pride is a South African story which deals with issues that resonate across the globe. It’s the story of discrimination, resilience, love and loss, but more than that, it is the story of those who will not be silenced – those who refuse to give up,” said Fletcher, who will also attend the screenings.
Screening details:
24th April 2015 at 6pm in KwaThema, Ekhuruleni, Gauteng
KwaThema Society for the Care of the Aged, 11472 Tokolo Street
25th April 2015 at 4pm in Khayelitsha, Western Cape
Masiphumelele Primary School, Hlehla Street, Makhaza, 7993
Please contact Karabo Van Heerden or Laura Fletcher (011 283 6000 / Karabo.vanheerden@amnesty.org / laura.backstory@gmail.com) if you wish to attend.
African Pride Trailer 2015 from Laura Fletcher on Vimeo.
it is really sad to see that in this day in age still, people are so narrow minded regards to the rights of other people. I am not homosexual and yet i have never understood why people are bothered by homosexuals. why cant we just let other people be? why kill another human being just because your twisted perception tells you that they are wrong and you are right. these hate crimes need to stop honestly and more needs to be done by our justice system. the LGBTI rights cannot just exist in paper!