A South African delegation formally received the WorldPride mantle in Amsterdam on Saturday 8 August, marking the beginning of the journey to bring the global LGBTIQ+ celebration to Cape Town in 2028.
The historic handover took place during a spectacular concert in the city centre, where more than 25,000 revellers gathered to celebrate the conclusion of WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.
WorldPride Cape Town will be the first-ever WorldPride held on African soil, with the South African edition confirmed for 28 September to 14 October 2028. The city was chosen by the International Association of Pride Organizers (InterPride) as the host for WorldPride 2028 in November 2024.
Representatives from Cape Town Pride, including CEO Tommy Patterson, received the WorldPride ceremonial message stick and a quilt featuring past WorldPride editions during Saturday’s ceremony.
The South African delegation also included Siphokazi Nombande of eThekwini Pride, Bruce Walker of Pretoria Pride, LGBTQI+ activist Thami Dish, Thando the Non-Binary Mascot, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member Roberto Quintas, representing the Mayor of Cape Town, activist and celebrity Yaya Mavundla, and acclaimed photographer Zanele Muholi.
‘Africa’s moment’
The ceremony concluded with a stirring rendition of African Dream, performed by South African actress, television presenter and soprano Lynelle Kenned, accompanied by Stefan Lombard.
Patterson thanked Amsterdam Pride for their hospitality and congratulated them on presenting an amazing WorldPride, which he said would be a hard act to follow.
He described receiving the WorldPride mantle as a major milestone for Cape Town, South Africa and the wider continent.
“It is a tremendous honour and responsibility to be the first city on the continent to host the event, and we will be assisted by prides from around South Africa and prides from other African countries.”
He added that: “The majority of African countries still treat our community as criminals with jail sentences and, in some cases, even with death, and with your support, we will give a voice to the voiceless.”
Patterson said he and his team are excited to return to Cape Town “and celebrate this history-making moment with our LGBTIQA+ family back home.”
From Amsterdam to Cape Town
The handover follows a two-week immersion by the South African delegation, which has been on the ground throughout WorldPride 2026.
The team worked alongside InterPride and the Amsterdam host committee, gaining insights into the operational, logistical and organisational demands of hosting a global WorldPride event.
Those lessons will now help shape Cape Town 2028, with organisers promising an event that reflects the continent’s own identity and experiences.
As the new custodians, Cape Town Pride and members of South Africa’s and the continent’s broader LGBTQI+ community are working towards a WorldPride that draws its energy, creativity and spirit from Africa.
“The programme will be shaped by the continent’s sporting passion, its bold contemporary arts, deep-rooted cultural and carnival traditions, its globally influential fashion, and the heritage of a people who know how to gather, celebrate, and stand together,” the South African delegation said.
One of the main events during Cape Town WorldPride will be a United Prides of Africa Unity Concert.
See MambaOnline’s exclusive photos of the historic WorldPride 2028 handover below.
