Cape Town Pride is preparing to make history as it travels to Amsterdam to officially accept the WorldPride torch, marking the start of Africa’s journey towards hosting the global LGBTQIA+ celebration for the first time.
WorldPride 2026 takes place in Amsterdam from 24 July to 8 August, with Cape Town Pride leading a South African and African delegation as preparations begin for WorldPride Cape Town 2028. The city won the bid to host the international event back in November 2024.
Historic WorldPride handover
The highlight of the visit will be the official handover ceremony at the WorldPride Closing Ceremony on 8 August, when Amsterdam formally passes hosting duties to Cape Town.
Acclaimed South African actress, television presenter and soprano Lynelle Kenned will perform African Dream during the ceremony. Kenned is no stranger to Cape Town Pride audiences, having previously appeared at both the Cape Town Pride Proms and the Cape Town Pride Mardi Gras main stage.
In addition to the handover, Cape Town Pride will lead the African contingent in the WorldPride March on 25 July and will showcase the continent during Amsterdam’s iconic Canal Parade on 1 August with its own barge. The delegation will be joined by representatives from other South African Pride organisations, including eThekwini Pride and Pretoria Pride.
Learning from Amsterdam
The visit is an opportunity for Cape Town Pride to gain practical insight into hosting one of the world’s largest LGBTQIA+ events.
The organisation said it hopes to learn from Amsterdam’s experience to help ensure a successful WorldPride in Cape Town in 2028.
“Being in Amsterdam for the official handover is more than a ceremonial moment. It is a powerful reminder that our stories, our communities, and our resilience have earned a place on the global stage,” said Cape Town Pride Brand Ambassador Nkosinthi Sangweni.
“As we receive the baton, we do so carrying the hopes of Cape Town, South Africa, and the African continent into a future where every LGBTQIA+ person can see themselves reflected with pride.
“As we stand in Amsterdam, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we take this next step together, committed to creating a WorldPride that belongs to all of us,” added Sangweni.
A milestone for Cape Town and Africa
Councillor Rob Quintas, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, will represent Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis in Amsterdam.
“It was a terrific privilege to be the City of Cape Town’s representative at the successful bid for WorldPride 2028 in Colombia. It is surreal to now, two years later, join the Africa WorldPride rights holders in Amsterdam, one of my favourite cities in the world, and be part of the team to ‘bring home’ the torch of this global event.
“I sincerely look forward to inviting the international Pride community to our beautiful Cape Town, South Africa and Africa for the first time. Our City prides itself on being the most welcoming and inclusive LGBTQIA+ ‘must see’ destination in Africa, and showcasing our award-winning city to exhibitors, participants and the global Pride community is a win for Cape Town. It further entrenches us as the preferred destination for African pink travel and investment.”
Building excitement for 2028
Cape Town Pride CEO Tommy Patterson described the trip as an important milestone, not only for Cape Town but for the continent as a whole.
“I am thrilled to be heading off to WorldPride Amsterdam at the end of the month with the Cape Town Pride team. We will be joined by Stefan Lombard and Lynelle Kenned, who will be performing for the LGBTI+ community at the closing ceremony and the handing over of the torch to Cape Town.
“This is not just a wonderful opportunity for our city but also for the LGBTI+ community across the African continent. Other South African Pride groups and allies are joining us in Amsterdam, as well as a representative from the Mayor’s office, and many South Africans living in Europe are travelling to give their support.”
Support the journey
Cape Town Pride is encouraging supporters to help fund the delegation’s trip to Amsterdam through its BackaBuddy campaign.
The organisation says every contribution will help ensure that South Africa and the African continent are strongly represented as Cape Town prepares to host the first-ever WorldPride on African soil in 2028.
One Comment
I do not see unity here, and I do not see Cape Town’s organisations working together with Cape Town Pride.
The only Pride organisations being included appear to be Pretoria Pride and Durban Pride. There is nothing wrong with including organisations from outside Cape Town — this is WorldPride, after all — but where are the local Cape Town organisations, particularly those working in our townships and Black communities?
We are already doing important work on the ground. We create spaces that bring people together, challenge stereotypes and educate communities where LGBTQ+ people still face serious discrimination. Yet we are not being included, consulted or given an opportunity to contribute.
I am worried that WorldPride is becoming the same old story we have seen from Cape Town Pride for years: a small group controlling everything, deciding who is included and who is kept outside. Once again, local organisations — especially Black-led and township-based organisations — are being left out, while Cape Town Pride chooses who gets a seat at the table.
WorldPride Cape Town should not become another event controlled by the same white people and the same organisations. It should represent the many different organisations, communities and voices that make up Cape Town and South Africa.
At the moment, that representation is missing. Where are the Black-led organisations? Where are the township organisations? Where are the people already doing the work in communities that need visibility, support and inclusion the most?
WorldPride is supposed to be about unity. But unity cannot exist when local organisations are left outside the room.