On 5 September, the Bring Your Father or Uncle to the Soweto Pride March campaign was launched at the Ekhaya Centre in Diepkloof, Soweto.
The initiative, led by Parents, Families & Friends of South African Queers (PFSAQ) in partnership with Newcastle Prideful Legends (NPL) and Intersexions, aims to encourage fathers, uncles, and brothers to stand alongside the LGBTQI+ community as visible allies.
Virginia “Njinji” Magwaza, Founder and Managing Director of PFSAQ, explained the motivation behind the project:
“We are launching a campaign that we felt was necessary because, in our activities, we’ve had many mothers but no fathers. This work is to challenge all parents, mostly fathers, to be part of our activities, and also learn how to love and support their LGBTIQ+ loved ones.
“What we are anticipating with this work is a very intersectional future where we see gender-based violence being eliminated, because some of its roots lie in fathers opposing LGBTIQ+ women and fighting mothers who accept their children. We hope our fathers will become public advocates for dignity, equality, and social inclusion, starting from home to communities.”
The campaign comes ahead of the Soweto Pride March, scheduled for 26 September 2025, and seeks to shift conversations within families about acceptance and protection of queer children.
Sihle Khumalo, Chairperson of the Men’s Sector in the Majuba district in Newcastle, highlighted the urgent need for fatherly involvement:
“It’s important that fathers be part of the discussion about the LGBTQI+ community and play their role as fathers because as we can see how dire the situation is. Our children are taking their own lives and it’s because the problem starts at home. We need to step in and show them the love and support as fathers.”
Intersex activist Nhlanhla Mkhabela shared how fatherly support can be life-changing:
“It was important for me as an intersex person to attend this event because for a very long time we’ve hidden in our houses thinking we’re not important or we’re too different from other people, but that is not the case.
“My coming out as intersex helped me resolve struggles, like correcting my ID, and it was the community that stood by me. It’s important for fathers to support us because without them, we feel alone in this journey. Even though mothers usually accept easier, if the father doesn’t, then the mother ends up only acknowledging your sexuality at home.”
Jabulisile “Chicken” Mdlalose, Director of Newcastle Prideful Legends, also emphasised the pivotal role fathers, brothers, and uncles play, with the hope that they will participate in the Soweto Pride march:
“The most important part for me is the beginning of talking to the parents, specifically the fathers, brothers, and uncles in the lives of their children. That is why, on the 26th of September, we will be having a Pride celebration where fathers will also be involved.
“Fathers are household leaders. If they are involved, it gives power and meaning. Love is love. It starts with you loving your own child. Because if you don’t accept your child as a parent, how do you expect others from the outside to accept them? We are queer, but we are human beings before we are queer. Being queer enriches humanity.”
The Bring Your Father or Uncle campaign is a call to action for men to step up as allies and advocates, creating a supportive environment that begins at home and extends into the wider community.
As Soweto Pride approaches, organisers hope this initiative will foster greater acceptance, dialogue, and protection for LGBTQI+ children across the country.
