Soweto Pride is back for its 21st anniversary this September, bringing together activism, community, and celebration under the banner of resistance and radical joy.
In the lead-up to the Pride weekend on 26–27 September, a series of build-up activities will take place across Soweto, focusing on education, wellness, entrepreneurship, film, and solidarity.
18 September – Intersex Learn & Play Day
- Time: 10am – 3pm
- Venue: Soweto Equestrian Centre
- Details: Hosted with Intersextions, this youth-focused event creates an interactive space to dispel myths about intersex identities. It tackles bullying, stigma, and intersexphobia in schools, and provides resources for educators and caregivers during Suicide Prevention Month.
22 September – LBQ Business Network Session
- Time: 11am
- Venue: Soweto Equestrian Centre
- Details: A gathering of community entrepreneurs and queer networks to strengthen economic participation. The session focuses on pitching, enterprise development, and circulating resources within queer business communities.
23 September – Feminist Wellness & Regional Solidarity Sessions
- Venue: Soweto Equestrian Centre
- 10am – Return to Self: Reclaiming the Body
Wellness tools for queer and femme identities to navigate trauma, affirm selfhood, and sustain joy. - 1pm – Solidarity Without Borders
A dialogue with refugees and asylum seekers, exploring strategies for regional solidarity and cross-border collaboration.
24 September – Kasi2Kasi Queer Film Festival
- Time: To be confirmed
- Venue: To be confirmed
- Details: Heritage Day is reimagined through queer storytelling. The festival includes screenings of two films followed by discussions on representation and visibility in South African media.
25 September – Cross & Inter-Movement Dialogue
- Time: 11am
- Venue: Soweto Equestrian Centre
- Details: In partnership with S.H.E. (Social Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender Women of Africa), this dialogue creates space for LBQ women, trans, and gender-diverse communities to build solidarity and amplify marginalized voices.
Soweto Pride Weekend
- Friday, 26 September – Soweto Pride Political March
- Time: 12pm
- Venue: Vilakazi Street, Orlando West
- Details: The political march remains central to Pride. Fathers, families, and allies will join the community in a show of solidarity, building on the Bring Your Father to Pride campaign.
- Saturday, 27 September – Soweto Pride Community Celebration
- Time: From 10am
- Venue: Soweto Equestrian Centre
- Details: A day of music, art, stalls, and performances celebrating queer lives and creating safe spaces for connection and joy.
From intersex awareness to feminist wellness, film screenings, and cross-movement dialogues, the build-up programme reflects Soweto Pride’s role as both a celebration and a space for activism.
The Pride March on 26 September and the Community Celebration on 27 September will cap off a month of visibility, solidarity, and joy for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
