The Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival celebrates 30 years of advocacy, activism and change

On 28 September, the Johannesburg Pride launched its unified community platform Pride of Africa, where the official details of the Pride Parade and Festival were announced.

A series of supporting events have since followed in celebration of Pride Month including the Pride of Africa Fashion show, Lifestyle Conference, Brunch session and the Awards Gala Dinner, before the much-anticipated main event taking place this Saturday, 26 October.

Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival organiser, Kaye Ally said since its inception in 1990, the Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival remains an open invitation for all to come and take a stride for Pride. “Each year, thousands of LGBTQ+ME community members and allies march through the streets of Johannesburg in a stand for self-acceptance and legal rights.”

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Pride weekend will kick off with a pre-Pride party before the main event on 25 October at Babylon, the Joburg Bar in Illovo. Having secured the support of Sandton City Mall and Sandton Central, Africa’s leading Pride event will return to the streets of Sandton after a seven-year hiatus.

“The Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival is set to razzle and dazzle everyone through the many measures that have been implemented to guarantee a successful and memorable day “added Ally.

Ensuring that all Pride-goers have a fantastic day, a Pride Village will be set up next to Sandton City, between Sandton Drive and 5th Street, with secure parking available at the mall. Easy access via the Sandton Gautrain station will also be available. The Pride Village provides a safe space for attendees to enjoy the day with access to various food and beverage stalls, several bars and a small market.

Medical services and doctors will be on standby during the parade and at the Pride Village. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, as well as the South African Police Service, will be available to control and regulate traffic as the parade progresses. A private security company will assist with security measures at the event in collaboration with approximately 500 volunteers from the community who will assist as marshals throughout the day.

The official Johannesburg Pride March will kick off from the Pride Village at 2pm, guiding attendees through the streets of Sandton. Adding to this year’s festivities is a mix of local and international performers, with the likes of Atlanta, Shaolin Funk, Darker Than White, DJ Tinkz, Locnville and Sketchy Bongo all gracing the stage. At the main stage of this year’s Festival Grand Marshall is none other than the Queen of the North herself, Brooklyn Hytes, runner-up of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11. “More performances by our queer artists, King Olwee, Amstel, Justine, DJ Biskit, DJ Puggy, DJ Skye, Mrizzie and Deepah are set to contribute to the entertainment of the day, with Lebo G as the event emcee,” concluded Ally.

To find out more about this year’s event, visit prideofafrica.org or follow Johannesburg Pride on social media.

Facebook: Johannesburg Pride , Twitter: @JHBPride , Instagram @jhbpride

Related Article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/107445/pride-gay-and-proud-for-a-cause/