SEDIBENG. – The ANC in Gauteng has stated that it recognizes that while some advances have been made in ensuring the protection of these rights, the road to a tolerant society that respects and embraces the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTIQ+) community is still long.

The party made this statement in recognition of the LGBTIQ+ community during Pride Month in June.

Thembinkosi ‘TK’ Nciza, ANC Gauteng Province Secretary, said that the LGBTIQ+ community in the Gauteng Province has historically endured some of the most unspeakable injustices known in South Africa.

“Over the years, men, women, and gender non-conforming individuals have been victims of physical and sexual violence in our communities.”

He urged party branch members to continue working with civil society organizations to educate communities about the dangers of intolerance and discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community. Furthermore, he demanded that the South African Police Service (SAPS) dedicate more resources to investigations of murders targeting members of the LGBTQI+ community.

“In the spirit of the struggle of memory against forgetting, we dedicate this International Pride Month to the memory of those who have suffered persecution in our province – men, women, and gender non-conforming individuals who endured horrors to which no one should ever be condemned.

We also denounce the regressive and backward Anti-Homosexuality Act that seeks to deny the community their human rights.

As we commemorate International Pride Month in 2023, we reiterate the movement’s slogan: Pride is for everyone!”

Nciza emphasised that in doing so, the ANC Gauteng insists on remembering their names to prevent their erasure.

He further said that is all too common when it comes to the lives of individuals in the LGBTIQ+ community.

He listed the names of individuals below who lost their lives, emphasizing that their stories must never be forgotten:

– Madoe Mafubedu, raped and killed in Soweto in 2007.

– Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa, raped, tortured, and murdered together in Soweto in 2007.

– Daisy Dube, shot in Yeoville in 2008.

– Eudy Simelane, robbed, gang-raped, and murdered in KwaThema in 2008.

– Girlie “S’Gelane” Nkosi, stabbed to death in a nightclub in KwaThema in 2009.

– Nokuthula Radebe, strangled to death in Thokoza in 2011.

– Noxolo Nogwaza, tortured, stoned, and stabbed to death in KwaThema in 2011.

– Sanna Supa, shot to death in Soweto in 2012.

– Desiree Ntombama Mafu, tortured and killed in Soweto in 2012.

– Patricia Mashigo, stoned to death in Daveyton in 2013.

– Duduzile Zozo, tortured to death in Thokoza in 2013.

– Pascalina Melamu, tortured and set on fire in Evaton in 2015.

– Lucia Naidoo, stabbed to death in Katlehong in 2016.

– Lerato “Tambai” Moloi, stoned and stabbed in Soweto in 2017.

– Bongeka Phungula and Popi Qwabe, raped and killed in Soweto in 2017.

– Nontokozo Motloung, tortured and stabbed in Sedibeng in 2022.

– Nomvula Chenene, killed and buried under the suspect’s shack in Lakeside, Sebokeng in 2023.