Ekurhuleni Pride 2015 set for Germiston Lake

The seventh annual Ekurhuleni LGBTI Pride will be held on the 5th of September 2015 at Germiston Lake, outside of Johannesburg.

Epoc LGBTI, which puts on the Pride, described the upcoming event as a “momentous milestone.” It noted that since its humble inception in 2009, it has blossomed into a powerful voice for LGBTI people in the region.

“We believe the future holds more epic victories for our Ekurhuleni community [and] that the envisaged just and inclusive society will be realised through this effort,” said Epoc LGBTI’s Ntsupe Mohapi.

He urged the LGBTI community and its allies in Gauteng to show their support for the event, which will take place from 9am to 6pm.

The march will start from Golden Walk Mall (Entrance 5), Germiston at 9am. Please bring your banners, t-shirts and placards with your message to the community.

The Ekurhuleni municipality has been the site of a number of violent attacks against LGBTI people over the last few years, including the horrific 2013 “toilet brush” rape and murder of 26-year-old Duduzile Zozo.

In 2014, Ekurhuleni Pride was marred by the hate-crime murder of openly lesbian Thembelihle ‘Lihle’ Sokhela, just days before the march.

This year’s theme is “Standing up against gender based violence and HIV/Aids.”

Transport will be offered from various locations in the area. For more information on Ekurhuleni Pride contact Mohapi on 073 226 3287 or visit the Facebook page.