Two countries in Southern Africa recently marked LGBTQ+ Pride with colourful marches affirming the visibility and rights of their LGBTQ+ communities.
The Pride events were held in the cities of Gaborone in Botswana and Manzini in Eswatini on Saturday, 28 June, coinciding with the final weekend of International Pride Month.
Gaborone Pride Walk: “Still We Stand”
In Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, the Pride Walk — supported by UNAIDS — brought participants together to march from the headquarters of local LGBTQ+ rights organisation LEGABIBO to UN House. The event was held under the theme: “Still We Stand: Our Voice. Our Power. Our Pride.”
The small but proud group marched through the streets carrying rainbow flags before gathering for speeches addressing the challenges faced by the country’s LGBTQ+ community.
“In a world where anti-rights sentiment continues to grow, our gathering was a powerful assertion of our presence, our dignity, and our right to exist fully and freely,” said LEGABIBO in a statement.
“We marched not only for ourselves, but for those still denied their freedoms, and for future generations who deserve to inherit a more just and inclusive society.”
UNAIDS Botswana stated on X that, “to sustain the HIV response, we must centre and support the voices of communities,” adding that “we march with Pride and stand united with the LGBTQI+ community.”
Botswana made headlines in 2019 when its High Court decriminalised same-sex sexual activity — a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2021.
Eswatini Pride: Living Our Truth
Meanwhile, in Manzini, the 8th Eswatini Pride took place under the powerful theme: “Living Our Truth – Existence and Resilience.”
Led by a troupe of majorettes and a marching band, the LGBTQ+ Pride walk began at Jubilee Park and ended at the SNAT Centre, where festivities continued with speeches and performances.
The event was supported by local and regional organisations, including Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities (ESGM) and One Billion Rising Eswatini.
Despite being one of the world’s last absolute monarchies, with a poor human rights record and ongoing criminalisation of homosexuality, Pride in Eswatini continues to grow in visibility and strength.
The Multi Stakeholder Forum Swaziland (MSF), which advocates for multi-party democracy in the kingdom, issued a powerful statement of solidarity with the Pride organisers.
“The struggle for freedom in Eswatini is incomplete without the inclusion and leadership of the LGBTQI+ community. Human rights are indivisible and the fight for equality must be intersectional and inclusive of all identities and lived experiences,” the MSF said.
In a landmark legal victory, Eswatini’s Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the government must allow ESGM to register as an LGBTQ+ rights organisation. The government, however, has so far refused to comply with the court’s decision.
Southern Africa’s Ongoing LGBTQ+ Pride Momentum
In addition to the celebrations in Botswana and Eswatini, the region also hosted the 14th annual Durban Pride in neighbouring South Africa on the same day, 28 June — underscoring the continued significance of LGBTQ+ Pride in Southern Africa.
Several other South African cities hold their Pride events between September and March every year.
