UP WITH THE LAW, NO TO HATE CRIMES –EKURHULENI PRIDE

By Simangele Mzizi (BTM Intern)

SOUTH AFRICA - 21 September 2009: Outraged with the escalating cases of women abuse, particularly lesbians, varying from hate speech, rape and murder, gays and lesbian in KwaThema Township, Ekurhuleni hosted the first ever pride March on 19 September, calling for an end to hate crimes.

Starting at Eudy’s Park, named after a lesbian who was murdered in April 2008, picketers navigated the township’s streets, delivering a memorandum at KwaThema Police Station, which demanded amongst other things that the South African police Service (SAPS) enforce tough disciplinary actions against homophobes.

“Up with the constitution and no to hate crimes, South Africa belongs to everyone who lives in it and the Constitution guarantees freedom, equality and dignity”, Phumi Mtetwa of the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project called.

Mtetwa emphasised that everyone who “disguises the realities” of discrimination, murder and abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender and intersex (LGBTI) people should be condemned.

She also explained the significance of pride marches from the 1990s saying they highlighted the double oppression suffered by black people and homosexuals under apartheid regime.

Addressing the crowd at Eudy’s Park the mayor of the district called for a heavier sentence on people who abuse vulnerable women.

Issues affecting intesex people were also the topic for the day. Activists also touched on reports alleging that the National Interfaith Leadership Council (NILC), formed by Rhema church leader Ray McCauley, and closely associated with President Jacob Zuma, wants laws legalising abortion and same-sex marriages revisited.

The murder case of Girly Nkosi was also brought up with activists calling for a proper investigation.

Lindiwe Lasindwa, ANC’s Provincial Member of Parliament questioned “why is Girly’s murder being defined as natural death and not murder?”

Senior Superintendent, Johannes Manyathela who accepted the memorandum said that they acknowledge the memorandum and that “we will do our outmost best regardless of the sexual orientation of the person, we treat everybody the same.”

Even though it was the first time Ekurhuleni hosted a pride march, organisers were pleased with the turnout.

“It was a success considering that KwaThema is still a contested area and that people are still scared”, Emily Craven of the Joint Working Group said. 

Nthabiseng Lamour Makua for Ekurhuleni Pride Organising Committee (EPOC) added “Today has been very successful, the attendance was great we appreciate the support from the LGBTI community, we did not think we could do something like this during our first time.”

Meanwhile Mtetwa reiterated “We will not tolerate a community that abuses, we want a KwaThema free of violence against gays and lesbians. The march was also aimed at celebrating our diversity, being gay and out and that we want to live freely.”

Ekurhuleni Gay and Lesbian Pride March was established when the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project formed the Ekurhuleni Pride Organizing Committee (EPOC) and came up with the idea to host a march across the streets of Kwa-Thema calling for an end to violence against women as the main message.