eThekwini Pride 2026 officially kicked off International Pride Month in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province on 1 June with a flag-raising ceremony in Pietermaritzburg, bringing together LGBTQI+ activists, community leaders, faith leaders, allies, and international partners in a powerful call for equality, dignity, and action.
Held under the theme “Beyond Waves, Pride in Action,” the event marked the launch of the second eThekwini Pride. It highlighted both the progress achieved in South Africa and the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQI+ communities across Africa.
Opening the ceremony, eThekwini Pride Chairperson Siphokazi Nombande emphasised that the occasion was more than a celebration.
“This is not a celebration. This is a declaration of war against silence, against violence, against every system that has ever told a queer person that their life is worth less than someone else’s.”
Nombande drew attention to growing anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and persecution in several African countries, while reminding attendees of South Africa’s constitutional commitment to equality.
“South Africa made a promise in 1996. A constitutional promise that every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves dignity and equal protection. We are here today to demand that promise be kept.”
She stressed that constitutional rights must translate into lived realities.
“A right that exists only on paper protects no one.”
Nombande also called on government institutions, community leaders and allies to move beyond symbolic support.
“Visibility alone is not enough. Representation alone is not enough. Words of support alone are not enough. We need action.”
As the Pride flag was raised, she reminded attendees of its significance for diverse members of the LGBTQI+ community.
“Today we raise more than a flag. We raise our voices. We raise our demands. We raise our collective refusal to be erased.”
Declaring the beginning of Pride Month, Nombande concluded:
“This is international Pride Month. This is eThekwini Pride 2026. This is Beyond Words, Pride in Action. I declare eThekwini Pride officially open.”
Addressing the gathering, Brian Sibeko-Ngidi, Director of Uthingo Network, described the flag as a symbol of hope, resilience and resistance at a time when LGBTQI+ rights are increasingly under attack globally.
“Today we do more than raise a flag. We are here to raise a symbol of hope, a symbol of resilience, a symbol of visibility, and overall to resist the backlash that we are seeing happening across the world.”
While acknowledging South Africa’s progressive Constitution, Sibeko-Ngidi highlighted the continued violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQI+ people.
“We still have our queer people, lesbian women, transgender women and transgender people being murdered for who they are.”
He also reflected on the struggles of previous generations who fought for LGBTQI+ rights.
“There are people who came before me who fought for the freedoms that I have today. I don’t take for granted the fact that I have a family as a gay man. It didn’t come easy.”
Calling for meaningful implementation of constitutional protections, Sibeko-Ngidi urged society to move beyond rhetoric.
“We are tired of slogans and singing and chanting. We need to see action.”
He further emphasised the importance of allyship and collective responsibility.
“No oppressed person should fight for their liberation on their own.”
The ceremony also featured a virtual message from Thomas Castrel, a representative of the Delegation of Flanders in Southern Africa, who expressed solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities in KwaZulu-Natal and across South Africa.
Speaking via video message, Castrel said the strength of any democracy can be measured by how effectively it protects the rights of all its citizens.
“If we want to know how healthy a democracy is, we can look at how well it protects human rights. Equality is not a side issue. It goes to the heart of whether people can live openly, safely and with dignity.”
Castrel noted that legal protections alone are insufficient without meaningful implementation in people’s daily lives.
“We know that rights on paper are not enough. What matters is whether they are felt, implemented and protected in daily life, in our streets, in our schools, in our workplaces, online and in our communities.”
Highlighting the significance of the Pride flag, he described the ceremony as both a celebration and a declaration of belonging.
“Pride is a celebration and a statement, namely that LGBTQI+ people belong, that visibility matters and that no one should be pushed into silence, fear or invisibility.”
Reaffirming Flanders’ support for local LGBTQI+ advocacy efforts, Castrel said:
“From Flanders, we stand in solidarity with eThekwini Pride and with the LGBTQI+ communities in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and across South Africa.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from Rev Vernon, who spoke about inclusion within faith communities and challenged churches to embrace LGBTQI+ people.
“To be an authentic Christian for me is to be someone who lives in line with the teachings of Jesus.”
Drawing applause from attendees, he added:
“Queerness is holy. It affirms that God does not make any mistakes.”
Rev Vernon acknowledged the pain many LGBTQI+ people have experienced within religious institutions and extended an invitation to those seeking acceptance.
“You will always find a home there whenever you come.”
He encouraged allies to use their voices and positions to stand alongside marginalised communities.
“If I do not speak, I am part of the problem.”
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from organisers, allies and community members to continue advocating for equality, safety and human dignity throughout Pride Month and beyond.
As the Pride flag flew alongside the South African flag, participants reflected on both the freedoms secured through decades of activism and the work that remains to ensure that all LGBTQI+ people can live openly, safely and proudly.
