Soweto Pride has announced major changes to this year’s event, marking a historic shift for one of South Africa’s most significant queer movements.
For the first time in its 21-year history, Pride will unfold over two days, separating the political march from the community celebration.
We had the opportunity to speak with Jade Madingwane, Executive Director at the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), the conveners of Soweto Pride.
Together, we’re answering your burning questions about what’s changing, why it matters, and what to expect from Soweto Pride 2025.
Q: What is the theme for Soweto Pride 2025, and why was it chosen?
A: September is Heritage Month, yet across our continent, heritage has been violently stripped away by colonialism, patriarchy, and ongoing conflict. The theme, “The Key to Empowerment” (Isango Le Nkululeko), reflects our dual reality: the ongoing struggle against violence and erasure, while also celebrating the resilience and joy that sustain us. This year also marks 21 years of Soweto Pride, a milestone that highlights both our struggle and our power.
Q: How does this theme connect to the wider context of queer struggles today?
A: The anti-gender movement is a global campaign that dehumanises LGBTIQ+ individuals through misinformation and harmful imagery. These narratives are not only offensive but deadly, fuelling hate crimes and undermining democracy. We are tired of acknowledging our constitutional rights while frontline workers, police, nurses, teachers continue to discriminate against us.
Our message for Soweto Pride 2025 is clear: LGBTIQ+ rights are human rights, and our heritage includes queer lives, joy, and resistance. We will not be erased.
Q: What are the key changes introduced for Soweto Pride 2025?
A: For the first time, Pride will be split across two days. Friday, 26 September, is dedicated to the political march. Saturday, 27 September, is a day for community celebration. This format ensures the political aspect of Pride is respected, while still allowing us to celebrate life and resilience.
Q: Why did you decide to split the event across two days this year?
A: When everything happened on one day, the march and celebration often diluted each other’s impact. By separating them, we create space for both protest and celebration. A weekday march means policymakers and institutions can’t ignore our demands, while Saturday remains a full day for the community to gather, celebrate, and connect.
Q: How do you believe these changes will impact Soweto Pride?
A: They strengthen both sides of Pride. Friday sharpens our advocacy by putting the spotlight on systemic change. Saturday deepens our culture of resilience by centring queer joy and creativity. Together, they show the full truth of our movement: we resist, and we thrive.
Q: Take us through what will be happening on each of the two days.
A: Friday, 26 September – Political March (Vilakazi Street, Orlando West)
From 12pm, the march will demand accountability on hate crimes, inequality, and systemic discrimination. Alongside it, we will amplify the Bring Your Father Campaigning initiative with PFSAQ, mobilising fathers, uncles, brothers, and male guardians to march as allies. Their presence challenges patriarchal silence in families and affirms that queer children deserve love and protection.
Saturday, 27 September – Community Celebration (Soweto Equestrian Centre, Rockville)
From 10am to 6pm, the celebration will feature music, performances, queer vendors, healing spaces, art, and intergenerational connection. It’s a day of joy and resilience, in a venue chosen for its accessibility, safety, and ability to host our growing Pride community.
Q: Can you tell us about the venues for Soweto Pride 2025?
A: Marching through Vilakazi Street connects queer struggles to South Africa’s broader history of freedom and justice. The Soweto Equestrian Centre provides a safe, accessible space that reflects the scale of our festivities and allows us to showcase queer culture in full.
Q: What message do you hope this new format will send to the community, allies, and policymakers?
A: That visibility is power, joy is resistance, and accountability is non-negotiable. This is not just a Pride event; it is a movement. We are demanding that our homes, institutions, and society reflect equality and dignity in practice, not just on paper.
Q: Are there events planned in the lead-up to the big Pride weekend?
A: Yes. On the 5th of September, together with PFSAQ, we launched the Bring Your Father Campaign initiative at Diepkloof’s Ekhaya Centre. The campaign will continue online throughout the month. We’ll also host dialogues, skills sessions, and creative activations with partners, building allyship and mobilising participation.
As Soweto Pride expands into two days, it promises to be more than just an event. It is a declaration that queer lives cannot be erased, that joy is a form of resistance, and that empowerment is a collective act of visibility and courage.
“This is not just a Pride event; it is a movement, reflecting society’s realities and promising future generations that we will not rest until freedom, dignity, and justice belong to everyone,” says Madingwane.
