As South Africa joined the global commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), government leaders on Friday called for a renewed commitment to the dignity and rights of LGBTQI+ persons.
In line with the 2025 IDAHOBIT theme, “The Power of Communities”, Deputy Ministers Andries Nel and Mapaseka Steve Letsike led a media roundtable discussion on the country’s revised National Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Strategy (2023–2027).
IDAHOBIT commemorates the World Health Organization’s 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. It has become an important day to highlight the injustices still faced by LGBTQI+ people around the globe.
Building on a Legacy of Constitutional Equality
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel opened the event by highlighting the significance of the day and the constitutional foundations underpinning South Africa’s LGBTQI+ rights. “Our Constitution affirms the values of human dignity, equality and freedom. These are not abstract ideas – they are live commitments,” he stated.
Nel stressed the importance of bringing these commitments to life, noting that, despite significant legislative progress, many South Africans still face discrimination and violence due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. “The revised SOGIESC strategy is our collective roadmap to address these inequalities through a coordinated, multi-sectoral response,” he said.
The strategy builds on earlier efforts, such as the 2011 establishment of the National Task Team in response to escalating hate crimes like so-called “corrective rape.” The current iteration incorporates lessons learned, promotes evidence-based approaches, and aims to enhance legal protection, service delivery, and accountability.
“We Must Resist Hate,” Urges Deputy Minister Letsike
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mapaseka Steve Letsike, delivered an impassioned call to action. “We need families, faith leaders, traditional authorities and communities to rise together against hate,” she said. “Our Constitution must remain respected, and the LGBTI community must be respected for their rights.”
Letsike praised South Africa’s legislative milestones—including the Civil Union Act, transgender recognition in official documents, and inclusive adoption laws—but insisted these advances must be implemented fully. “We need more inclusive education that dismantles prejudice from an early age. Our curriculum must reflect the realities of diverse identities,” she emphasised.
She also underscored the need for systemic change within institutions, noting that civil servants across sectors—including healthcare, policing, and correctional services—have received sensitivity training to ensure non-discriminatory service. “Silence from institutions must no longer be an option,” Letsike declared. “Together, we must resist hate, restore dignity, and respect humanity.”
Honouring Lives Lost, Calling for Justice
In closing, Nel reflected on the urgency of the work ahead: “One life lost is one too many. We remember and honour those whose bodies became symbols of political struggle—whose names we may not know, but whom we carry in every step of this journey.”
The event reaffirmed that the power of communities—when united with government, civil society, and media—can challenge stigma, protect lives, and create spaces of true belonging.
If you or someone you know is experiencing discrimination or violence, reach out to organisations like Triangle Project (Cape Town), or Access Chapter 2 for support.
