On October 6, more than 20,000 people attended the 23rd annual Johannesburg Pride, the largest and oldest LGBT event in Africa.
With a theme of “Protect our Rights,” the parade made its way from the Zoo Lake Sports Club in Rosebank to TK. Shortly after 11am, though, demonstrators blocked the parade with an “die-in” protesting a series of deaths in the city’s gay community.
Things got back on track soon enough, and the crowd moved on to enjoy performances by Ola, Crazy White Boy and Flash Republic. Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel made a surprised appearance, telling the crowd that while there was work to be done, his office was “proud to be proud with you today.”