Social Development to lead a walk against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Pretoria
In the build up to the 16 Days campaign for No Violence against women and children, which this year is commemorated under the theme: “Accelerating Actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Leaving No One Behind”, the Department of Social Development will on Friday, November 24, lead a walk against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia at the Botanical Gardens in Pretoria.
On the day the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mrs Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and civil society will lead a 2.5 kilometre outdoor walk and remember the LGBTQIA+ community members who were brutally murdered because of their sexuality.
The walk comes after Sibusiso Mbatha, a Grade 6 pupil from Khahlekile primary school in Thokoza committed suicide because his teacher allegedly told him to leave his “gayism” outside the school premises.
To ensure a coordinated national response to the pandemic of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the South African government approved the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF)
The Department of social development is responsible for the implementation of Pillar 4 of the NSP-GBVF which focuses on the provision and strengthening of an integrated community and institutional Response, Care, Support and Healing to GBVF survivors and their families. To this effect, the LGBTQIA+ community is not excluded from having efficient access to Response, Care, Support and Healing.
On August 8, 2023 Cabinet also approved the National Intervention Strategy on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC).
This day will also serve as a space for the LGBTIQA+ community to be taught about their fundamental constitutional rights and receive information regarding mental illness and services at their disposal to improve their wellbeing.
The department will also remember the following South Africans and many more who were killed for their sexual orientation:
1. Bonang Gaelae (29) whose throat was slashed in Sebokeng on February 12.
2. Nonhlanhla Kunene (37) whose body was found half naked in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg on March 5
3. Sphamandla Khoza (34) who was beaten, stabbed and had his throat slit on March 29 in Kwamashu, Durban.
4. Nathaniel ‘Spokgoane’ Mbele, who was stabbed in the chest in Tshirela, Vanderbijlpark on April 2.
5. Khulekani Gomazi (27) who was beaten to death on April 3 in Mpophomeni in KwaZulu-Natal. Gomazi’s body also showed signs of having been dragged by a car.
6. Andile ‘Lulu’ Ntutela (41) whose mutilated and burnt body was found on April 10 in Kwanobuhle, Kariega.
7. Lonwabo Jack (22) individual whose lifeless body was found on a pavement after his birthday on April 18, in Nyanga, Cape Town.
8. Lucky Kleinboy Motshabi (30) whose body was found in a field in the town of Dennilton, Limpopo on April 24. He was naked with stab wounds on his body.
9. Phelokazi Mqathana (24)who was stabbed to death on the weekend of May 1 in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. It was reported that a man stabbed her after she rejected his advances.
10. Liyabona Mabishi (16) was brutally murdered in March on Human Rights Day by five men for being lesbian in Khayelitsha.
11. Lindokuhle Mapu (23) who was stabbed to death in Mfuleni, outside of Cape Town, on May 9.
12. Aubrey Boshoga (48) whose body was dumped outside his house in Johannesburg on May 29.
13. Lulama Mvandaba (38) who was beaten and had her breasts burnt was discovered in her home 6 days after her attack on June 11 in Khayelitsha.
14. Anele Bhengu (22) who was raped before being repeatedly stabbed. Her throat was slit, and her stomach was cut open on June 13.
15. Sam Mbatha (24) a gay man whose body was found burnt in the boot of his car at a soccer field in Ikageng section Klipgat on 17 June 2021.
16. Sheila Lebelo, 33-year-old lesbian, who was raped and strangled to death
17. Thapelo Sehata (23) whose body was discovered in the bushes along the road with injuries on the face and chest at Senwabarana Limpopo
18. Sisanda Gumede (28) was stabbed to death by her cousin because she was a Lesbian at Umbumbulu area in September 2021
19. Zimasile Zubair Shabangu (35) who was stabbed in the stomach for being gay.
20. Refiloe Malope, - who was kidnapped on the 09th of May 2022, killed and her body dumped in an old mine shaft in Benoni.
21. Lindokuhle Cele (23) who was stabbed numerous times for being gay and the knife was left stuck in his left eye at a local shop in Umlazi.
22. Masixole Level (28) an openly gay man was found stabbed to death in the streets on Sunday 6 June in Kwazakhele, Eastern Cape
23. Ruth Chigowe (24) who was stoned to death for being lesbian and her lifeless body dumped in the streets in Katlehong on 27 May 2022
24. Brian Tootla (AKA Bridget) a gay man who was gunned down at his home Slovo, Soweto in January 2022.
25. Ntokozo Caroline Motloung (27) a lesbian woman whose mutilated body was found in the bushes in Vereeniging on 21 May 2022
26. Unathi Webber (22)whose naked body was discovered in Khayelitsha.
27. Emanuel Moers (24) who was stabbed to death by a man who objected to them using the men`s bathroom.
28. Pinky Shongwe (32) who was stabbed to death because she is a Lesbian and rejected to man`s romantic advances in Umlazi, March 2022.
29. Motse Moeketsi, whose body was discovered in freedom park in Gauteng after he was reported missing on 18 June 2021
30. Nongezi Mithani (20), a lesbian woman who was raped, murdered and her body dumped in a nearby veld, Carletonville in March 2022.
31. Musa Xulu (25) who was gunned down in full view of the public in Inanda, Durban on 27 April 2022
32. Nomvula Chenene (28) whose body was found buried in a shallow grave inside a shack at lakeside in Orange farm on 17 March 2023.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this event planned as follows:
Date: Friday, 24 November 2023
Time: 08:00
Venue: Botanical Gardens in Pretoria, Gauteng Province
The day will be carried live on www.dsdtv.org.za
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Makhosazana Mavuso on 072 732 9381 / Makhosazanama@dsd.gov.za or Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849/ SharleneN@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or lumkao@dsd.gov.za
