Pink hair, bright clothing and face painting – nothing was too flamboyant for the Pride Celebration that recently took place at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Themed "Embracing our value of inclusivity", the event started with a colour walk from the RAG Farm to building A13, where a Pride Wall that depicts the LGBTIQA+ rainbow pride flag* was unveiled. The NWU’s male netball team was also introduced

Along with staff and students, various NWU dignitaries attended the event. They included Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, executive director for student life, Prof Robert Balfour, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, and Dr Sean McCallaghan, acting director for student life.

According to event organiser Lebo Maekela this celebration was aimed at raising awareness of and showing support for the LGBTIQA+ community and their rights.

 In South Africa, many LGBTIA+ individuals have been violently assaulted or killed over the past year, with circumstances suggesting their sexual orientation was the reason they were targeted.

"Many of us are still faced with stigma and persecution and live a state of fear. The whole purpose of this march is to say we're not going anywhere and to highlight that we have the right to exist. We want our community to feel seen and celebrated through this event," said Lebo. 

Dr Chalufu, one of the guest speakers, said the NWU Pride Wall was a symbol of inclusivity.

"The wall is an affirmation of our ethic of care and shows that the NWU supports and embraces the LGBTIQA+ community. Through this wall, the NWU stands against oppression, homophobia and any form of injustice that threatens the existence and livelihood of members of the LGBTIQA+ community," he said.

Prof Balfour spoke about transformational leadership and urged everyone to be open to change.

“If you want to change yourself and how people look at you and hear and see you, it is important in transformational leadership to understand how to manage emotional relationship as a person who belongs to the LGBTIQA+ community. Without understanding how to manage emotions and how to influence the emotions of the people around you, it is very difficult to transform the communities in which we live. Transformation is not simply about raising flags, it’s about influencing people,” he added.

He also paid tribute to the late Sam Junior Mbatha, an NWU employee and LGBTQI+ community activist, who was murdered in June 2021 in what is suspected to be a hate crime.

“Sam is an example of someone who gave his life for change in our space,” said Prof Balfour.

* The pride flag is an international symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride and LGBT social movements and their fight for equal rights and acceptance across the globe. The original rainbow flag was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978.

Staff and students, led by NWU mascot Eagi, proudly march in support of the LGBTIQA+ community.

The Pride Wall on the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus.