Looking ahead with Pride

It took guts, exhaustive planning, patience and passion to put together the first LGBT+ Pride eSwatini. It was hosted in June 2018. Initially advertised by the hosts as Gay Pride, this was the first red flag for the LGBT+ community in the country. Most had not experienced a Pride before but felt that although it was a great initiative, it would further alienate community members who aren’t gay.

Amidst the challenges were a group of people who were excited and filled with anticipation for a historic event many thought they would never experience in their own country – or in their lifetime. An experience that many pay thousands of Emalangeni to participate in in neighbouring South Africa. An experience of freedom.

Phephile Kunene, a well-known Manzini community liaison, who had planned to attend the Durban Pride happening on the same weekend said, “When I first heard about the Pride plans, I thought: ‘Well great, but authorities will never allow this to happen in Swaziland.’ So I went on with planning my trip to Durban with my friends. But I saw the planning around it intensifying. I would never have missed out on walking my own streets flying the rainbow flag up high.”

Indeed, Pride was held on a beautiful sunny day in the capital city Mbabane, with hundreds of people from within the country and the international community in attendance. The throngs who enjoyed themselves and those who may have had doubts and fears about attending, are probably already looking forward to the next celebration.

Where this first Pride was more laidback and centred around entertainment, one hopes the next will have a stronger political focus in terms of activism and advocacy. Narrowing in on the issues and challenges that are faced by the LGBT+ community. A platform of this magnitude is an opportunity for our voices to be heard on issues such as same-sex marriage, equal adoption rights and an end to systematic stigma and discrimination. These are issues that have not been spoken about or given the urgent attention that they require. People finally have the chance to look us square in the face. This after many claims to international human rights bodies that no-one knows of any LGBT+ in the country. No existing LGBT+ means no urgent need to discuss LGBT+ issues or human rights.

Why not use our collective voice to come out and say in public, the things we say in our private meetings? Why not state how we are excluded from scholarships, jobs and interrogate what has to change for the environment to be more accommodating of LGBT+ people?

An increased visibility of activists prior to the event might attract a larger crowd and convince more people to attend. Press statements are good and all, but people want to see faces they know and trust speaking and endorsing the event in mainstream and social media. This establishment of trust not only helps to ensure people of their safety, but also lends a human authenticity to the posters and adverts. It also eases doubts fuelled by negative media reports.
By investing in foot soldiers who are capable of handling the pressure we calm the community and assure them that umsebenti uyachubeka.

Moreover, the support received from friends, fellow LGBT+ from around the world and other entities is much appreciated and we hope it continues in upcoming Prides. But we should also seek the support of our own families. We want to see more local sponsors buying into the event and showing support so that we can dispel the notion that LGBT+ is associated with foreign practices, supported by the funding of Pride by foreign organizations. The walk itself can be better coordinated. Uniformity in songs and messaging can achieve this.

It was great to see country representatives from Germany and USA leading the march but it’s our march and Pride 2019 should be led by us. LGBT+ eSwatini are ready to face the nation and lead our own movement.