Colour Me Foundation is expanding its efforts to create safer and more inclusive campuses for LGBTQIA+ students through its flagship “Be Free to Be You” campaign, bringing conversations about identity, dignity and belonging to TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges across South Africa’s North West province.
The campaign recently marked what the organisation described as the first LGBTQIA+ visibility walk at Orbit TVET College’s Mankwe Campus in Mogwase, where students, staff, allies and community organisations came together in a public show of solidarity.
For Colour Me Foundation Co-Founder and Executive Director Faith Edmunds, the campaign was born out of the reality that many LGBTQIA+ students continue to face exclusion despite institutional policies intended to protect them.
“We launched the campaign after recognising that many LGBTQIA+ students enter institutions that may have policies protecting them on paper yet still struggle to find spaces where they genuinely feel safe, respected and included,” Edmunds told MambaOnline.
She said the initiative is designed specifically for TVET colleges in rural communities and small towns, where queer and gender-diverse students often have limited access to support networks.
“The campaign exists because we believe education should never come at the cost of someone’s identity. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed without fear simply because of who they are.”
Making LGBTQIA+ Students Visible
According to Edmunds, the visibility walk at Mankwe was about much more than carrying Pride flags.
“The visibility walk was about far more than walking with Pride flags. It was about creating visibility in a place where many LGBTQIA+ people have historically felt invisible.”
She said bringing the event to the campus sent a powerful message that LGBTQIA+ students belong in educational spaces and deserve to study without fear of discrimination.
Students and staff marched together carrying messages of inclusion, equality and hope, while educational discussions on LGBTQIA+ identities, human rights and allyship accompanied the walk.
“Perhaps the most powerful part of the day was watching students realise they were not alone. Visibility has the power to replace isolation with belonging.”
Conversations Beyond the March
The Mankwe event formed part of the Third Annual “Be Free to Be You” campaign, which was also held at Orbit TVET College’s Brits and Rustenburg campuses.
At Brits, the organisation hosted a debate asking whether true freedom can exist without the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people, while Rustenburg students participated in a panel discussion exploring how identity, gender and sexual orientation shape people’s safety and opportunities.
Edmunds said the goal was to create spaces where students could engage honestly, ask difficult questions and challenge long-held assumptions.
Family Rejection and Isolation Remain Common
Throughout the campaign, students shared deeply personal experiences about the challenges they continue to face both on and off campus.
Edmunds said one of the strongest themes was rejection at home.
“Several students shared that their greatest struggle is not only discrimination from peers, but rejection within their own families.”
She said many students described being told they were “confused”, “possessed” or simply “going through a phase”, while others felt forced to hide their identities to avoid losing the support of loved ones.
Students also spoke about bullying, misgendering, verbal harassment and harmful stereotypes, as well as the ways religion and culture are sometimes used to justify discrimination.
Another concern was the gap between institutional policies and students’ daily experiences.
“While colleges may have non-discrimination policies, many students do not know where to report incidents or fear they will not be taken seriously if they do.”
Despite these challenges, Edmunds said she was inspired by students’ resilience.
“They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the freedom to study, succeed and be loved without fear.”
Rural Communities Face Additional Barriers
Edmunds noted that LGBTQIA+ young people in rural communities often face unique challenges compared with those living in larger cities.
“In larger cities, LGBTQIA+ young people generally have greater access to support organisations, affirming healthcare, community spaces and visible role models,” she explained.
“In rural communities and small towns, those resources are often limited or completely absent.”
She added that concerns about confidentiality and community judgement often discourage young people from seeking support.
“Young people should not have to leave their hometowns to experience dignity, acceptance and belonging.”
Building Inclusive Campuses
Edmunds believes TVET colleges have both a legal and moral responsibility to create safer learning environments.
She called for regular diversity and inclusion training for lecturers, student leaders, security personnel and support staff, alongside stronger reporting systems and better access to LGBTQIA+-affirming counselling services.
“Policies alone are not enough. Inclusion must become part of everyday campus culture, not something that is only discussed during awareness months.”
Expanding across North West
The campaign has now been implemented across Orbit TVET College’s Brits, Rustenburg and Mankwe campuses.
It forms part of Colour Me Foundation’s broader “We Belong Here” initiative, which aims to expand LGBTQIA+ inclusion work to eight TVET colleges and four high schools across the North West Province.
The organisation hopes to build sustainable partnerships, train peer supporters and strengthen referral pathways so that support for LGBTQIA+ students continues long after each campaign ends.
Edmunds encouraged students, educators, parents, faith leaders and community members to play an active role in creating safer and more inclusive communities.
“Creating inclusive communities is a shared responsibility.”
She also had a message for LGBTQIA+ students who may still feel unseen or unsafe.
“Please know that your identity is not something that needs fixing. You are worthy of love, dignity and opportunity exactly as you are.”
She added: “Never allow your current environment to convince you that your future is small. Your dreams remain valid, your voice matters and your existence has value.”
“Colour Me Foundation will continue working until every young person, whether they live in a township, village or small town, can study, dream and succeed without fear,” Edmunds said.
“Because you belong here. You always have, and you always will.”
