In this op-ed piece, Martin Potgieter, a Master’s student in Sociology at NWU in Potchefstroom, unpacks how the recent defacement of the university’s Pride flag mural exposes the use of Christianity to fuel homophobia on SA campuses and beyond.
On 10 September 2025, LGBTQIA+ students at North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom arrived on campus to find their Pride Flag mural defaced with a homophobic slur. Spray-painted in white were the words “fck the fgs,” alongside a cross and the audacious tagline “by RH.”
Although the identity of “RH” remains unknown, university authorities moved quickly to restore the mural. Still, the juxtaposition of the Christian cross with the words “F*ck the f*gs” raises pressing questions.
One can assume this is intended to be seen as a message from Christians showing their intolerant and hateful attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. It’s one that essentially contradicts the scripture’s preaching of love and acceptance, or is it only “love thy neighbour” when this hypothetical neighbour is heterosexual and cisgender?
Christianity in Context
Claiming that all Christians are homophobic is deterministic and false. While some continue to cite verses such as “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable,” many others accept LGBTQIA+ people and reject the notion that their identities are sinful.
One NWU Christian student offered her disapproval of the graffiti, saying, “It was hard seeing the Cross next to such hateful words. It is a symbol of love and sacrifice, not of hate.”
Incidents such as this aim to paint a narrative of division between Christians and the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly on the campus, which is supposed to be a safe space for both. The student further stated, “One person can’t speak for all Christians.”
That’s not to deny that some “Bible thumpers” do believe that scripture provides a literal and timeless moral mandate for contemporary society; beliefs that often perpetuate hatred towards LGBTQIA+ individuals.
When asked about the vandalism, a NWU lesbian student said: “The defacement of the NWU Pride flag with a homophobic slur and a Christian cross is not just an act of vandalism, it is weaponising theology and religion.”
She argued that twisting religion to justify prejudice corrupts its moral force: “This clearly displays the failure of ethical, moral and theological values and the integrity of some ‘Christian’ NWU students.”
She added, “When religion is twisted to justify prejudice, it is not classified as a moral force anymore and turns into oppression, exactly what most Christians claim the religion condemns. This clearly displays the failure of ethical, moral and theological values and the integrity of some ‘Christian’ NWU students.”
A Campus Caught in Tension
Incidents such as the flag defacement limit the places of co-existence between Christians and LGBTQIA+ students by creating an unwelcoming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Potchefstroom, and, by extension, the campus, is a space dominated by Christianity, with multiple Christian churches active on and off campus. While Potchefstroom remains a predominantly un-queer space, the campus has been seen as one of the few relatively safe spaces in the city for LGBTQIA+ individuals – but this is often not the case.
Since the Pride mural’s inception in 2019, the flag has been vandalised twice. The first time was in 2023, and now, the second time, in September 2025.
There was another troubling incident on campus in 2024. A NWU Christian student disrupted a student registration and orientation session that was led by the chairperson of the campus Pride society, whom he accused of spreading the “gay agenda”.
Rising Homophobia in South Africa
These campus incidents reflect a wider trend of growing homophobia in South Africa.
In February 2025, Muhsin Hendricks, the country’s first openly gay imam, was murdered in Gqeberha in broad daylight.
Further, a survey by Marchant Van Der Schyf on attitudes towards homosexuality and gender non-conformity in South Africa found that 72% percent of South Africans feel same-sex activity is morally wrong. It also found that 44% of LGBTQ respondents reported experiencing violence, bullying, or discrimination in their daily lives.
Globally, conservative movements are gaining traction, particularly among Gen Z with social media platforms becoming a hub for conservative content. This is colloquially known as “Red pill” content, which promotes and socialises susceptible youth with intolerant and unaccepting views towards sexual diversity and gender equality.
Content creators and influencers such as Andrew Tate use social media platforms to spread controversial and problematic views that centre on toxic masculinity, misogyny and anti-secular values.
Glimmers of Hope
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. In May 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill into law, which provides legal protection for LGBTQIA+ South Africans who suffer verbal, physical and emotional violence. It was a step forward, although its implementation within the criminal justice system remains pending.
It is also commendable that the NWU leadership affirmed its commitment to creating a safe environment for LGBTQIA+ students by taking quick action in condemning the hateful and derogatory graffiti. It also restored and repainted the Pride flag mural within 48 hours of the incident.
Unfortunately, the NWU vandalism is not an isolated case, but part of the broader epidemic of hate speech and violence against LGBTQIA+ people in South Africa, with much of it fuelled by religious bigotry. If left unaddressed, rising homophobic beliefs cloaked as conservative Christian values will remain a painful reality that continues to impact the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Martin Potgieter is a Master’s student in Sociology at NWU in Potchefstroom, with a research focus in gender and sexuality studies.
