The 1st LGBTI AfroGames taking place in Durban

The inaugural LGBTI AfroGames are being held in Durban from the 8th to the 10th of December, and the LGBTI community, athletes and allies are invited to compete and observe.

The organisers say that the event, hosted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, will celebrate diversity and instill pride in the African LGBTI community through the use of sport and cultural events.

AfroGames 2018 will be the first LGBTI multi-sport event to be held on the African Continent. The sports include touch rugby, track (100m; 200m; 400m and 800m), soccer, netball and squash events.

In line with the Federation of Gay Games, the mission of the AfroGames 2018’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) is “to promote equality, acceptance and pride through the organisation of a premiere African LGBTI+ and gay-friendly sports and cultural event known as the AfroGames 2018.”

An LGBTI symposium, titled “Decolonising LGBTI Rights in Africa,” will also be held on 10 December, which will coincide with International Human Rights Day. The keynote address will be delivered by South African Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron.

Discussions will address issues such as the recognition of LGBTI rights in Africa, the decriminalisation of LGBTI people in Africa and the roles of faith, culture, sports and tourism in sustainable social transformation and cohesion of African communities.

“Since the colonial ‘scramble for Africa’ until Tanzania’s recent crackdown on the LGBTI community, Africa’s human rights’ track record has not been what it could have been,” commented Hlengiwe Buthelezi, Chair of KZN LGBT Recreation. “Consequently, its people’s potential has not been realised and celebrated as fully as it could be. The AfroGames seeks to address both these issues in the context in which we find them.”

In August, Buthelezi won six medals at the 10th Gay Games in Paris in a range of athletics events. She was recently awarded the Sports Personality honour at the 2018 Feather Awards.

Although the AfroGames 2018 LOC is proudly South African, “we advocate and promote LGBTI rights across the entire African continent,” said Buthelezi.

AFROGAMES 2018 PROGRAMME
Dates: 8 – 10 December 2018
Venue: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus. Gate 1, Gate 5, Gate 9 & Gate 10

SATURDAY (8 DECEMBER 2018):
Arrivals & Registration @ UKZN, Gate 5 (11h00-16h00)
Opening Sporting Event: Touch Rugby @ UKZN, Gate 5 (13h00-15h00) V3*
Official Opening Ceremony of AfroGames 2018 @ UKZN, Gate 5 from 15h00-20h00.

SUNDAY (9 DECEMBER 2018):
Arrivals & Registration @ UKZN, Gate 10 (8h30-14h00)
Athletics Event: Track events 100m; 200m; 400m and 800m @ UKZN, Gate 10 (9h30-11h00)
Open field, sporting event: Soccer @ UKZN, Gate 10 (11h00-14h00)*
Netball & Squash events: @ UKZN, Gate 9 (15h00 – 17h00)*

*Teams are welcome to register. Individuals also catered for. Mixed teams also allowed.
Never played before? Why not join in for some fun with the “How to Play” clinics presented by local teams and try-out for a pink rugby/soccer/netball team?

End the evening off with a visit to local LGBTI nightclub Club Altitude (20h00 till late) for the AfroGames Fun Awards. Free entry.

MONDAY (10 DECEMBER 2018):
Inaugural LGBTI rights in Africa Symposium “Decolonising LGBTI Rights in Africa” at the UKZN, School of Law, Howard College Theatre from 8h00-16h00.

For more information about participating in AfroGames 2018 or the symposium please contact Shaun Kruger at krugers@ukzn.ac.za or 031 260 1994. You can also follow the Facebook page.